Some account of the last yellow fever epidemic of British Guiana / by Daniel Blair ; edited by John Davy.

Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Some account of the last yellow fever epidemic of British Guiana / by Daniel Blair ; edited by John Davy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    130/222 (page 110)
    by having it shaved and covered with a piece of thin cambric, on which water dripped from a basin suspended over head by the capillary action of a bundle of cotton threads, having one end immersed within the basin of water and the other°ends hanging over the edge of the basin. In reducing the dry ardent heat of the first stage, ordinary cold baths or sponging, by inducing a series of reactions, exasperated the symptom. The only means of thoroughly reducing it was by the continuous evaporation of the wet sheet and head-drip. When they were required it was necessary to protect the pillow by oil-cloth, and to remove the bedding from the paillasse, so that when the wet sheet was removed the patient could have a dry and comfortable bed. The application of the wet sheet till it dried was generally sufficient to reduce the temperature to a natural standard, and then the sheet was removed; but if the heat persisted, aspersion was required, or the sheet might be redipped and reapplied a second or third time. Before the heat on reduction admitted of being kept at a natural standard, the skin generally had to be ren- dered cold, with some appearance of maceration of the fingers, on the removal of the sheet. I do not recollect a case which required its continuous application longer than twenty-four hours. I have known the head-drip required for three days. The wet sheet is a powerful agent, and its effects must be watched, par- ticularly where a tendency to pulmonary disease has existed. Its applications are not unpleasant to the feelings of the patient, except sometimes from the first shock. In such cases, if the sheet be dipped in tepid instead of cold water, every end will be equally well obtained without the shock.* During the second stage of the disease, the best treatment was expectant. A careful restriction of diet and drink to articles of the blandest and lightest description, and small quantities at a time, and resistance to the indiscretion of the patient and the officious interference of friends in such matters. If the disease ceases Avith this stage, the same carefulness must be extended to the period of convalescence. If aperients are required, mag- * [These directions for the reduction of temperature I believe to be of great importance. The ordinary manner by which it is attempted to keep the head cool—by the application of a wet cloth — probably does more harm than good, as the cloth is generally allowed to become dry at night.] —Ed.