ERYSIPELAS, OR ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE. 181

CHAP. XVII.

ERYSIPELAS, OR ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE.

This disease, which in some parts of Britain is called the rose,attacks persons at any period of life, but is most common betweenthe age of thirty and forty. Persons of a sanguine or plethorichabit are most liable to it. It often attacks young people, and 'pregnant women ; and such as have once been afflicted with it arevery liable to have it again. Sometimes it is a primary disease,and at other times only a symptom of some other malady. Everypart of the body is liable to be attacked by an erysipelas, but itmost frequently seizes the legs or face, especially the latter. It ismost common in autumn, or when hot weather is succeeded bycold and wet.

Causes. — The erysipelas may be occasioned by violent passionsor affections of the mind ; as fear, anger, <fcc. When the bodyhas been heated to a great degree, and is immediately exposed tothe cold air so that the perspiration is suddenly checked, (solarheat,) &c. an erysipelas will often ensue ; also on exposure to coldduring a mercurial course^* It may also be occasioned by drinkingto excess, by continuing too long in a warm hath, or by any thingthat overheats the blood. If any of the natural evacuations be ob-structed, or in too small quantity, it may cause an erysipelas. Thesame effect will follow from the stoppage of artificial evacuations ;as issues, setons, or the like.

Symptoms. — The erysipelas attacks with a shivering, thirst, lossof strength, pain in the head and back, heat, restlessness, and aquick pulse ; to which may be added vomiting, and sometimes adelirium. On the second, third, or fourth day, the part ^swells, be-comes red, and small pustules appear ; at which time the fevergenerally abates.

When the erysipelas seizes the foot, the parts contiguous swell,the skin shines ; and, if the pain be violent, it will ascend to theleg, and will not bear to be touched.

When it attacks the face, it swells, appears red, and the skin iscovered with small pustules filled with clear water. One or botheyes are generally closed with a swelling ; there is inflammationof the throat, and difficulty of breathing and swallowing. If themouth and nostrils be very dry, and the patient drowsy, there isreason to suspect an inflammation of the brain.

If the erysipelas affects the breast, it swells and becomes ex-ceedingly hard, with great pain, and is apt to suppurate. There

* The country-people in many parts of Britain call this disease a blast, and imagineit proceeds from foul air, or ill wind, as they term it. The truth is. they often liedown to rest them, when warm and fatigued, upon the damp ground, where they fallasleep, and lie so long as to catch cold, which occasions the erysipelas. This diseasemay indeed proceed from other causes, but we may venture to say, that nine times outof ten it is occasioned by cold caught after the body has been greatly heated or fa-tigued.

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