Diseases > Domestic medicine

1o(> wuchan’s
others who have more knowledge, we Have recom¬
mended some of the most simple but approved forms
of medicine in every disease. These however are
never to be administered but by people of better
understanding; nor even by them without the
greatest precaution.
CHAP. XIII.
OF FEVERS IN GENERAL.
As more than one half of mankind js said to perish
by fevers, it is of importance to be acquainted with
their causes. The most general causes of fevers are,
infection, errors in diet, unwholesome air, violent
emotions of the mind, excess, or suppression of useful
evacuations, external or internal injuries, and extreme
degrees of heat or cold. As most of these have already
been treated of at considerable length, and their eifects
shewn, we shall not now resume the consideration of
them, but shall only recommend it to all, as they
would wish to avoid fevers and other fatal diseases,
to pay the most punctual attention to these articles.
Fevers are not only the most frequent of all diseases,
but they are likewise the most complex. In the
most simple species of fever there is always a com¬
bination of several different symptoms. The dis¬
tinguishing symptoms of fever are, increased heat,
frequency of pulse, loss of appetite, general debility,
pain in the head, and a difficulty in performing some
of the vital or animal functions. The other symptoms
usually attendant on fevers are, nausea, thirst,
anxiety, delirium, weariness, wasting of the flesh,
want of sleep, or the sleep disturbed and not re¬
freshing.
When the fever comes on gradually, the patient
generally complains first of languor or listlessness,