NERVOUS FEVER.

1-27

nauseating doses of tartarized antimony,*'or the Jike, or so as toact on the bowels as occasion may require. A bath for the feet, atnight, may assist the effect.

In this fever, as in most others, sleep is much interrupted andfrom a want of it delirium often ensues. Opium here would bean uncertain remedy, for should it fail to procure rest, the deliri-um would be considerably increased by it. It should, therefore,only be given ¿11 cases of imminent danger, and even then in smalldoses, frequently repeated, paying strict attention to the state itproduces.

Throughou* the whole disease the patient must be strictly en-joined to pay the greatest attention to the diet here laid down, andto abstain from solid food, and animal broths of any kind.

Fresh air, exercise of a gentle kind, on horseback or in a car-riage, agreeable society, and a moderate use of wine, will greatlycontribute to the recovery of convalescents. Should the digestiveorgans prove weak, which will be indicated by the appetite notreadily returning, stomachic bitters, as advised under the head ofindigestion, may be taken with advantage, &e.

I

I

1

I

CHAP. VIX.

SLOW OR NERVOUS FEVER. (Typhus Mitior.)

Nervous fevers have increased greatly of late years in this isl-and, owing doubtless to our different manner of living, and the in-crease of sedentary employments ; as they commonly attack per-sons of a weak relaxed habit, who neglect exercise, eat little solidfood, study hard, or indulge in spirituous liquors.

Causes. — Nervous fevers may be occasioned by whatever de-presses the spirits, or impoverishes the blood ; as grief, fear, anxi-ety, want of sleep; intense thought, living on poor watery diet, asunripe fruits, cucumbers, melons, mushrooms, &c. They maylikewise be occasioned by damp, confined, or unwholesome air.Hence they are very common in rainy seasons, and prove most fa-tal to those who live in low dirty houses, crowded streets, hospitals,jails, manufacturing or large towns, or such like places.

It principally attacks those of weak lax fibres, and personswhose constitutions have been broken by excessive venery, frequentsalivations, too free an use of purgative medicines, or any otherexcessive evacuations, are most liable to this disease.

Keeping on wet clothes, lying on the damp ground, excessivefatigue, and whatever obstructs the perspiration, or causes a spas-modic stricture of the solids, may likewise occasion nervous fevers.We shall only add, frequent and great irregularities in diet. Toogreat abstinence, as well as excess, is hurtful. Nothing tends so

• Take Kpsom Salts, 6 drachms.

Infusion of Senna, G ounces.

Antimony Wine, 20 drops.

Syrup of Oranges, 1 drachm.

Mix, and make a purgative draught, asoccasion may require.