120

CONTINUED FEVERS.

more obscure the remissions are the greater the danger, and eaclisucceeding paroxysm is attended with more risk than the formerone. On the contrary, the milder the attack, and the nearer thefever approaches to the intermittent form, the sooner will be theprospect of the patient's recovery.

As disorders of this kind are more to be dreaded in a camp thanthe approach of an enemy, it is the duty of superior officers veryearnestly to concur with their medical attendants in enforcing theproper means of prevention. The spirit of our soldiers betraysthem into a contempt of disease, as well as of danger ; and they aretoo apt to forget, that no hardihood can of itself resist the warm,sickly moisture of autumn, and the damp air of the night to whichthey are often unavoidably exposed. Those brave, but thought-less men, should, therefore, be obliged to pay more attention tothe simple preservatives from fevers above pointed out. I havetoo high an opinion of the talents of many eminent physiciansand surgeons now in the army, to think any farther remarkson this subject necessary. I am persuaded that a hint will be suf-ficient to call forth the fullest exercise of their skill, their humani-ty, and their zeal also, for the honour and security of their coun-try, in saving their lives, and promoting the health and vigour ofits gallant defenders.

CHAP. V.

CONTINUED FEVERS.

Fevers of this type continue for several days, with nearly thesame degree of violence, having evident exacerbations and remis-sions daily.

SYNOCHUS, OR SIMPLE CONTINUED FEVER.

A combination of synochal or inflammatory typhoid or putridsymptoms appear to constitute this species of fever ; the formerbeing apt to preponderate at the commencement, the latter towardsthe termination of the disease. It is contagious, and is of morefrequent occurrence in this country.

Remote Causes. — Every thing having a tendency to enervatethe body, may be considered as a remote cause of fever ; and, ac-cordingly, we often find it resulting from great bodily fatigue, toogreat indulgence in sensual pleasures, violent exertions, intemper-ance in drinking, errors in diet, «fcc. ; and now and then from thesuppression of long accustomed evacuations ; with all the causesenumerated under the general observations on fevers. See Fe-vers.

It is the opinion of many physicians, that there is sometlnnsin the nature of all acute diseases, except those of a putrid kind.