The modern practice of physic, which points out the characters ... and improved method of treating the diseases of all climates / [Robert Thomas].

  • Robert Thomas
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The modern practice of physic, which points out the characters ... and improved method of treating the diseases of all climates / [Robert Thomas]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    152/1054 (page 130)
    69 OrderI.] MALIGNANT AND PUTRID FEVER. given internally in diseases of a putrid or malignant nature, and likewise to be applied in the form of gargle to the sloughs of the throat, which often accompany such fevers. In typhus gravior, as well as in scarlatina, the internal use of the oxygenated muriatic acid is a powerful and highly efficacious medicine. A material circumstance to be attended to, not only at the com¬ mencement of this fever, but through its whole course, is to cover the patient lightly with bedclothes, and to keep his apartment cool and properly ventilated, by allowing a regular and free admission of fresh air into it; and in order to render it pleasant both to him¬ self and his attendants, it ought to be sprinkled several times a day with warm vinegar and camphorated spirit. Fumigations in the manner hereinafter noticed will also be advisable. Cleanliness, in the strictest sense of the word, is to be most carefully attended to; and, therefore, not only the bed and body linen should be changed frequently, but whenever a motion takes place, it ought immediately to be removed. The viscid phlegm which collects about the tongue and teeth, should be coagulated by some austere acid, and then it may be scraped off by a knife, or be wiped away with a bit of flannel dipped in vinegar, or salt and water. Although there is not usually any regular crisis to this fever, still nature sometimes endeavours to throw it off by a gentle moisture diffused equally over the whole surface of the body ; to promote this, we may advise some gentle diaphoretic ;# but we are carefully to guard against exciting profuse sweats, which would certainly prove prejudicial. In the first stage of the disease, where there are local determina¬ tions, and there arises any violent affection of the head, or diffi¬ culty of breathing, it has been usual to apply a blister in the neighbourhood of the part affected. Where stupor prevails, with little or no delirium, we need not employ it; but where the deli¬ rium, in the first stage of the disease, is violent, and accompanied with great wildness of the eyes, so as to threaten a phrenitis, we may recommend it, and probably it will afford relief. In an advanced stage, or after symptoms of putrescency have become obvious, the application of a blister would be highly improper, as mortification is apt to attack the blistered parts. Rubefacients are preferable, and may be applied to a great extent of surface at short intervals. In typhus gravior, as well as the milder form of the disease, i the application of cold to the head might probably be substi¬ tuted for a blister with advantage in those cases where there pre- * 4. R Camphorae, gr. iv. Pulv. Ipecac, gr. iij. Confect. Aromat. gr. x. M. I. ft. Bolus, Gtis lioris sumendus. * 4. Take Camphor, four grains. Powder of Ipecacuanha,’ three grains. Aromatic Confection, ten grains. Make them into a bolus, which may be taken every six hours.