PUTRID FEVER.

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ity. The changes for the better are often as sudden, and unfore-seen, as those for the worse. The last gasp alone should induceus to give over the patient. I have left a patient twenty times andmore, little expecting to see him alive next day. Yet I did notlose courage, but ordered a bottle, or perhaps two, of generouswine to be given in the course of twenty-four hours ; and that pa-tient, to my great satisfaction, recovered, and enjoyed health formany years after.

CHAP. VIII.

MALIGNANT AND PUTRID, OR SPOTTED FEVER,

( Typhus gravior.)

This fever, which takes its name from the malignancy of its na-ture, and the symptoms of putrefaction observed towards its close,may be called the pestilential fever of Europe, as in many of itssymptoms it bears a great resemblance to that dreadful diseasedie plague. Persons of a lax habit, a melancholy disposition, andthose whose vigour has been wasted by long fasting, watching,hard labour, excessive venery, frequent salivations, &c. are mostliable to it.

Causes. — This fever is occasioned by foul air, from a numberof people being confined in a narrow place, not properly venti-lated ; from putrid animal ana vegetable effluvia, &c. Hence itprevails in camps, jails, hospitals, and infirmaries, especiallywhere such places are too much crowded, and cleanliness is neg-lected.

A close constitution of the air, with long rainy or foggy weath-er, likewise occasions putrid fevers. They often succeed great in-undations in low and marshy countries, especially when these arepreceded or followed by a hot and sultry season.

Living too much upon animal food, without a proper mixture ofvegetables, or eating fish or flesh that has been kept too long, arelikewise apt to occasion this kind of fever. Hence sailors on longvoyages, and the inhabitants of besieged cities, are very often vis-ited with putrid fevers. •

Com that has been greatly damaged by rainy seasons, or longkeeping, and water which has become putrid by stagnation, »fee.may likewise occasion this fever.

Dead carcases tainting the air, especially in hot seasons, arevery apt to occasion putrid diseases. Hence this kind of feveroften prevails in countries which are the scenes of war and blood-shed. This shows the propriety of removing burying-grounds,slaughter-houses, &c. to a proper distance from great towns.

Want of cleanliness is a very general cause of putrid fevers.Hence they prevail amongst the poor inhabitants of large towns,who breathe a confined unwholesome air, and neglect cleanliness.

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