114

FEVERS IN GENERAL.

fever in ten where the lancet is necessary. In most low,nervous and putrid fevers, which are now so common, bleed-ing is really hurtful, as it weakens the patient, sinks his spi-rits, &c. We would recommend this general rule, never tobleed at the beginning of a fever, unless there be evidentsigns of inflammation. Bleeding is an excellent medicinewhen necessary, but should never be wantonly performed.

It is likewise a common notion that it is always necessaryto raise a sweat in the beginning of a fever. As fevers oftenproceed from an obstructed perspiration, this notion is not illfounded. If the patient only lies in bed, bathes his feet andlegs in warm water, and drinks freely of water gruel, or anyother weak, diluting liquor, he will seldom fail to perspirefreely. The warmth of the bed and the diluting drink willrelax the universal spasm, which generally affects the solidsat the beginning of a fever ; it will open the pores and pro-mote the perspiration, by means of which the fever may beoften carried off. But instead of this, the common practiceis to heap clothes upon the patient, and to give him thingsof a hot nature, as spirits, spiceries, &c, which'fire his blood,increase the spasms, and render the disease more dangerous.

In all fevers a proper attention should be paid to the pa-tient's longings. These are the calls of nature, and oftenpoint out what may be of real use. Patients are not indeedto be wantonly indulged in every thing that the sickly appe-tite may crave ; but it is generally right to let them have alittle of what they eagerly deswe, though it may not seemaltogether proper. What the patient longs for his stomachwill generally digest ; and such things have sometimes a veryhappy effect.

When a patient is recovering from a fever, great care isnecessary to prevent a relapse. Many persons, by too soonimagining themselves well, have relapsed, or contracted someother disease of an obstinate nature. As the body after a fe-ver is weak and delicate, it is necessary to guard againstcatching cold. Moderate exercise in the open air will be ofuse ; agreeable company will also have a good effect. Thediet must be light but nourishing. It should be taken fre-quently, but in small quantities'. It is dangerous at such atime to eat as much as the stomach may crave.