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122

INFLAMMATORY FEVER.

pearance, and becoming clean ; thirst abating, the skin coveredwith a gentle and equable moisture, and feeling soft to the touch ;the secretory organs performing their several functions, and theurine depositing flaky crystals of a dirty red colour, and becomingturbid on being allowed to stand.

Medical treatment. — In fever, all bodily motion should be avoid-ed, especially that which calls any of the muscular powers into mo-tion ; the patient ought therefore to be confined to bed. The stom-ach and rest of the alimentary canal, in many cases of fever, be-ing manifestly affected in a higher degree than any other part ofthe body, emetics and purgatives, which are early adopted. Thetreatment, in short, will be nearly the same in this as in synochaor inflammatory at the commencement ; the utmost caution, how-ever, must be employed in the use of those means which have amanifest tendency to reduce the tone of the system, especiallyblood-letting ; so that sufficient strength may be left to combat thesucceeding stage, which is invariably one of great debility, and inwhich the treatment will be that proper for typhus or putrid fever.

Diet. — In this fever, particularly at the commencement, the an-tiphlogistic regimen will be strictly necessary, as well as in someothers of continued fevers. That kind of aliment which gives theleast stimulus will be the most proper : it should consist of the mostlight, nutritive, and easiest digestible substances, e. g. preparationsof barley, oatmeal, sago, vermicelli, tapioca, and the meal of Indi-an arrow, varying them now »nd then for panado, roasted apples,&c. Animal broths increase the heat of the body, and, conse-quently, are improper, unless the patient be in a state of conva-lescence. The drink may be barley-water, linseed-tea, toast andwater, milk whey, thin gruel, lemonade, <fcc. carefully abstainingfrom the use of spirituous or fermented liquors.

CHAP. VI.

INFLAMMATORY, ACUTE, OR ARDENT FEVER {sytwcha.)

This fever is characterized with considerable increase of heat,a frequent, strong, and hard pulse, urine red, the animal functionsbut little disturbed, although at an advanced stage of it, the brainis apt to become much affected. It most commonly attacks theyoung, or persons about the prime and vigour of life, especiallyeuch as live high, abound in blood, and whose fibres are strong andelastic. It seizes people at all'seasons of the year ; but is mostfrequent in the spring and beginning of summer.

Causes. — Sudden transitions from heat to cold ; any thing thatoverheats the body, or produces plethora, as violent exercise,sleeping in the sun, drinking strong liquors, eating spiceries, a full