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PUTRID OR SPOTTED FEVER.

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quantities of some of the acid liquors mentioned above, orany that may be more agTeeable to the palate, or more readilyobtained.

If the patient be delirious, his feet and hands ought to befrequently fomented with a strong infusion of camomile flowers.This, or an infusion of the bark, to such as can afford it, can-not fail to have a good effect, Fomentations of this kind notonly relieve the head, by relaxing the vessels in the extremi-ties, but as their contents are absorbed, and taken into theblood, they may by their antiseptic qualities assist in prevent-ing the putrescency of the humors.

If the patient be not able to put his feet and hands into thedecoction, cloths dipped in it may be applied to them.

Medicine. — If a vomit be given at the beginning of thisfever, it will hardly fail to have a good effect ; but if the feverhas gone on for some days, and the symptoms are violent,vomits are not quite so safe. The body, however, is alwaysto be kept gently open by clysters, or mild laxative medicines.Bleeding is seldom necessary in putrid fevers. If there besigns of an inflammation, it may sometimes be permitted atthe first onset ; but the repetition of it generally proves hurtful.Blistering plasters are never to be used unless in the great-est extremities. If the petechia? or spots should suddenlydisappear, the patient's pulse sink remarkably, and a delirium,with other bad symptoms, come on, blistering may be per-mitted. In this case the blistering plasters are to be appliedto the head and inside of the legs or thighs. But as they aresometimes apt to occasion a gangrene, we would rather re-commend warm cataplasms or poultices of mustard and vine-gar, to be applied to the feet, having recourse to blisters onlyin the utmost extremities.

A very ridiculous notion has long prevailed, of expellingthe poisonous matter of malignant diseases by trifling dosesof cordial or alexipharmic medicines. In consequence of thisnotion the contrayerva root, the cordial confection, the mithri-date, &c, have been extolled as infallible' remedies. Thereis reason, however, to believe that these seldom do muchgood. Where cordials are necessary, we know none that issuperior to good wine ; and therefore again recommend it asthe safest and best. Wine, with acids and antiseptics, arethe only things to be relied on in the cure of malignantfevers.

In the most dangerous species of this disease, when it is