The modern practice of physic : exhibiting the character, causes, symptoms, prognostics, morbid appearances, and improved method of treating the diseases of all climates / by Robert Thomas.

  • Thomas, Robert, 1753-1835.
Date:
1822
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The modern practice of physic : exhibiting the character, causes, symptoms, prognostics, morbid appearances, and improved method of treating the diseases of all climates / by Robert Thomas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    practitioner, and the by-standers in a much greater degree, are apt to think fortunate for the patient, is in fact the very reverse, as has been very judiciously observed by Dr. Fordyce ;* there being nothing more dangerous in fever than its not affecting every part of the system in an equal degree. The usual appearances which are to be observed on dissection of those who die of this fever, are congestion, or an effusion within the cranium, and topical affections, perhaps, of some of the viscera. In fever all motion of the body should be avoided, especially that which requires the exercise of the muscles ; the patient ought there- fore to be confined to his bed. The exercise of the miad proving a stimulus to the body, all impressions which lead to thought, es- pecially those which may excite emotion or passion, are to be carefully shunned. A person labouring under a fever ought there- fore to be kept as composed and quiet as possible ; and his chamber should not be close and warm, as is too usually the case, but, on the contrary, perfectly cool and sufficiently ventilated, taking care, however, that the air does not come in a direct stream or current upon him. He is likewise to be lightly covered with bed- clothes. The strict pursuance of an antiphlogistic regimen will be highly necessary to be observed in this fever, as well as in some others of the continued kind. That sort of aliment which gives the least stimulus will be the most proper : the food should be light, nourish- ing, and easy of digestion, consisting of preparations of barley, oatmeal, sago, vermicelli, tapioca, and the meal of Indian arrow- root, varying them now and then for panado, roasted apples, &c. Animal broths produce an increase of heat in the body, and are there- fore improper, unless the patient is in a state of convalescence. For drink he may take barley water, linseed tea, toast and water, milk whey, thin gruel, and lemonade, which may be varied now and then for an infusion of balm, and such other herbs, carefully shunning the use of any kind of spirituous or fermented liquor. In fever it is no uncommon occurrence for peculiar longings to arise, and when they do, should always be gratified in moderation, although they may seem not altogether proper. The stomach, and the rest of the alimentary canal, are manifestly affected in many cases of fever in a higher degree than other parts of the body, and therefore emetics and purgatives are usually the first means which present themselves to the notice of the physician. In fever it will, therefore, be necessary to pay an early attention to the state of the stomach; and if there are any crudities or corrupted humours, producing nausea or vomiting, to dislodge them by ad- ministering a gentle emetic.t To assist its operation, the patient * See his fifth Dissertation on Fever. i 1. B;Puly- Ipecac.gr. xv. , t 1. Take Powdered Ipecacuanha, fifteen grains. Vntiraon. Tartarizat. gr. j. I Tartarized Antimony, one grain.