INFLAMMATORY FEVER.

125

anee. This operation ought always to be performed as soon as thesymptoms of an inflammatory fever appear ; and one large bleed-ing at this period of the disease will have a much better effect thanrepeated small ones afterwards. The quantity of blood to be tak-en away from a large orifice, however, must be in proportion tothe strength of the patient and the violence of the disease. If thepatient be young and plethoric, twelve to twenty ounces of bloodmay be drawn off at once from a large orifice. If after the firstbleeding the fever should increase, and the pulse become more fre-quent and hard, there will be a necessity for repeating it a second,and perhaps a third, er even a fourth time, which may be done atthe distance of twelve, eighteen, or twenty-four hours from eachother, as the symptoms require. If the pulse continue soft, andthe patient be tolerably easy after the first bleeding, it ought notto be repeated.

If nausea prevail at the commencement of the disease, the stom-ach may be relieved by making the patient drink one or two cups-ful of the infusion of camomile flowers ; but should these simplemeans not be attended with the desired effect, he may take a tablespoonful of an emetic solution, every quarter of an hour, until suf-ficiently eased.

If the heat and fever be very great, forty or fifty drops of thedulcified or sweet spirit of nitre may be made into a draught, withan ounce of rose-water, two ounces of common water, and half anounce of simple syrup, or a bit of Zoaf-sugar. This draught maybe given to the patient every three or four hours while the fever isviolent ; afterwards once in five or six hours will be sufficient,using some diluent drink.

If the body be bound, a clyster of milk and water, with a littlesalt, and a spoonful of sweet oil or fresh butter in it, ought dailyto be administered. Should this not have the desired effect, a tearspoonful of magnesia alba, or cream of tartar, may be frequentlyput into his drink, or some gentle aperient may be given.* Hemay likewise eat tamarinds, boiled prunes, roasted apples, and thelike.

If there be pain in the head with delirium, oppressed breathing,or determination to any organ, leeches should be applied to thetemples, or other parts, blisters, fomentations, &c. and the treat-ment laid down for the particular organ affected should be adopted.

If about the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth day, the pulse becomesmore soft, the tongue moister, and the urine begins to let fall aTeddish sediment, there is reason to expect a favourable issue tothe disease. But if, instead of these symptoms, the patient's spir-its grow languid, his pulse sinks, and his breathing becomes diffi-

* Take Pulp of Tamarinds, J ounce.

Cream of Tartar, 2 drachms.

Boiling WateF,. 5 ounces.

Strain off the liqtior and add,

Cinnamon Water, I ounce.

Tartarised!' Antimony, 1 grain.

Four table spoonsful to be taken for a

doee, to be repeated in three hours,

-^-..,1.1 xr* motions in that lime have

Take Sulphate of Soda, 6 drachms.

Infusion of Senna, 1 J ounce.

Syrup of Oranges, 1 drachm.

Make a purging draught.

orTake powdered Rhubarb,

Cream of Tartar,Make a powder, to be taken out of some

25 grains.1 drachm.