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REMITTENT FEVER.'

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predominate, sometimes the nervous, and at other times the pu-trid. Nor is it at all uncommon to find a succession of each ofthese, or even a complication of them at the same time, in the sameperson.

Diet. — The regimen must be adapted to the prevailing- symp-toms. When there are any signs of inflammation, the diet mustbe slender, and the drink weak and diluting. But when nervousor putrid symptoms prevail, it will be necessary to support the pa-tient with food and liquors of a more generous nature, such as arerecommended in the immediately preceding fevers. We must,however, be very cautious in the use of things of a heating quality,as this fever is frequently changed into a continual by an hot regi-men, and improper medicines.

Whatever the symptoms are, the patient ought to be kept cool,quiet, and clean. His apartment, if possible, should be large, andfrequently ventilated by letting in fresh air at the doors and win-dows. It ought likewise to be sprinkled with vinegar, juice oflemon, or the like. His linen, bed clothes, &c. should be frequent-ly changed, and all bis excrements immediately removed. Thoughthese things have been recommended before, we think it necessaryto repeat them here, as they are of more importance to the sickthan practitioners are apt to imagine.*

Medical treatment. — In order to cure this fever, we must en-deavour to bring it to a regular intermission. This intention maybe promoted by bleeding, if there be any signs of inflammation ;but when that is not the case, bleeding ought by no means to beattempted, as it will weaken the patient and prolong the disease.But in all protracted cases, under every climate, where the pulseis weak, but where the head is still much affected, the applicationof cupping-glasses to the back part of the head, or of leeches to thetemples, will be more advisable than venesection. As nauseausually prevails at the commencement of the disease, an emetic willseldom be improper, and is generally of great service. Twenty orthirty grains of ipecacuanha will answer this purpose very well ^but where it can be obtained, we would rather recommend a grarnor two of tartar emetic, with five or six grains of ipecacuanha, tobe made into a draught, and given for a vomit. This may be re-peated once or twice at proper intervals, if the sickness or nauseacontinues.

Cold affusion, where it can be practised with propriety, produ-ces the most agreeable effects with a tendency to sleep, fuller an;!more uniform pulse, moist skin, and now and then a distinct re-mission. To alter the type of the fever, it may be proper to give

* The patient's shirt, bed-clothes, and bedding, ought frequently to be changed, anlexposed to the air, and all his excrements immediately removed ; the bed-^.jambershould be well ventilated, and frequently sprinkled with vinegar; in short, every at-tention should be paid to the patient. I can affirm, that a physician who puts these inpractice will much oftener succeed, than one who is even more skilful, but has not op-portunity of using these means. Dr. Lind.