PLEURISY.

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ed into the moist and dry. In the former the patient spits freely ;in the latter, little or none at all. There is likewise a species ofthis disease, which is called the spurious or bastard pleurisy (Peri-pneumonia Notha) in which the pain is more external, and chieflyaffects the muscles between the ribs. The pleurisy prevails amonglabouring people, especially such as work without doors, and areof a sanguine constitution. It is most frequent in the springseason.

Causes. — The pleurisy may be occasioned by whatever obstructsthe perspiration ; as cold northerly winds ; drinking cold liquorswhen the body is hot; sleeping without doors on the damp ground :wet clothes; plunging the body into cold water, or exposing it tothe cold air, when covered with sweat, &c. It may likewise beoccasioned by drinking strong liquors ; by the stoppage of usualevacuations, as old ulcers, issues, sweating of the feet or hands,&c; the sudden striking in of any eruption, as the itch, the mea-sles, or the small-pox. Those who have been accustomed to bleedat a certain season of the year, are apt, if they neglect it, to beseized with a pleurisy. Keeping the body too warm by means offire, clothes, &c. renders it more liable to this diseabe. A pleurisymay likewise be occasioned by violent exercise, as running, wres-tling, leaping, or by supporting great weight, blows on the breast.&c. A bad conformation of the body renders persons more liableto this disease, as a narrow chest, a straitness of the arteries of thepleura^, &c.

Symptoms. — This, like most other fevers, generally begins withchilliness and shivering, which are followed by heat, thirst, andrestlessness. To these succeeds a violent pricking parn in one ofthe sides among the ribs. Sometimes the pain extends towardsthe back-bone, sometimes towards the fore-part of the breast, andat other times, towards the shoulder-blades. The pain is generallymost violent when the patient draws his breath.

The pulse in this disease is commonly quick and hard, the urinehigh-coloured ; and, if blood be Jet, it is covered with a toughcrust, or buify coat. The patient's spittle is at first thin, but after-wards it becomes grosser, and is often streaked with blood.

Diet. — Nature generally endeavours to carry off this disease bya critical discharge of blood from some part of the body, by expec-toration, sweat, loose stools, thick urine, or the like. We ought,therefore, to second her intentions by lessening the force of thecirculation, relaxing the vessels, diluting the humours, and promot-ing expectoration.

For these purposes, the diet, as in the former disease, ought tobe cool, slender, and diluting. The patient must avoid all foodthat is viscid, hard of digestion, or that affords much nourishment ;as flesh, butter, cheese, eggs, milk, and also every thing that is ofa heating nature. His drink may be whey, or an infusion of pec-toral and balsamic vegetables.*

* See Appendix. Pectoral infusion.G