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Domestic Medicine, or, a Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases, by Regimen and simple Medicines
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REMITTENT FEVER.

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antimonials,* in small and repeated doses. To allay vomiting,warm fomentation of camomiles, and bruised poppy-heads, clearthe seat of the stomach. Saline draughts in a state of efferves-cence, to each of which may be added ten drops, of the tincture ofopium.

The body ought to he kept open either by clysters or gentle lax-atives, as weak infusions of senna and manna, small doses of thelenitive electuary, cream of tartar, tamarinds, stewed prunes, orthe like ; but all strong or drastic purgatives are to be carefullyavoided.

In this fever, as well as in that called the yellow fever (typhusuterocles,) the submuriate of mercury,t combined with rhubarb orjalap, may be regarded as a valuable remedy, where it is wishedto carry off putrid feculent matter from the bowels, and there is atthe same time any degree of nausea or vomiting present, as, fromthe smallness of the bulk, it may possibly be retained on the stom-ach when every other purgative might be rejected.

In cold climates we may wait for a perfect and complete remis-sion before the bark is administered ; but in warm climates itought to be given even in the most imperfect and shortest remis-sion ; and although it may not prove sufficiently efficacious to pre-vent a fresh attack at first, it will, nevertheless, mitigate the subse-quent return of the fever, and at last bring about regular and a per-fect remission. When this is omitted in warm j climates, it is aptto assume a continued form.

By this course the fever in a few days may generally be broughtto a pretty regular or distinct intermission, in which case the Pe-ruvian bark may be administered, and it will seldom fail to perfectthe cure. It is needless here to repeat the methods of giving thebark, as we have already had occasion frequently to mention them.

The most likely way to avoid this fever is to use a wholesomeor nourishing diet, to pay the most scrupulous attention to cleanli-ness, to keep the body warm, to take sufficient exercise, and in hotcountries to avoid damp situations, night air, evening dews, andthe like. In countries where it is endémica], the best preventivemedicine which we can recommend is the Peruvian bark, whichmay either be chewed, or infused in brandy or wine, &c. Somerecommend smoking tobacco as very beneficial in marshy countries, both for prevention of this and intermitting fevers. And toguard against a relapse, the bark should be continued for somedays after the attacks have ceased, and not, as is frequently thecase, too hastily laid aside.

A remittent fever is always attended with some hazard, particu-larly in warm climates, in which it usually goes through its coursein the space of five or six days ; but in cold ones, its crisis is notusually affected until the twelfth or fourteenth. The shorter and

* Taks compound powder of ipecacuanha,4 grains.

Camphor, 3 grains.

Confection of Roses, enough.Make a bolus, to be taken every third or

fourth hour.

i Take powdered Rhubarb, 10 to 20 grs.

Submuriate of Mercury (Calomel,)5 grains.Simple Syrup, enough to make up intofour pills for a dose.orTake powdered Jalap, 15 grs.

Submuriate of Mercury, 15 grs.Make a powder.

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