Diseases > Domestic medicine

BUCHAN
162
the fev r proceeds from an obstructed perspiration,
this notion is not ill-founded. If the patient only
lies in bed, bathes his feet and legs in warm water,
and drinlrs freely of water-gruel, or .any other weak
diluting liquor, he will seldom fail to perspire freely.
The warmth of the bed, and the diluting drink, will
relax the universal spasm, which generally affects
the skin at the beginning of a fever; it will open
the pores, and promote the perspiration, by means of
which the fever may be often carried off. But
instead of this, the common practice is to heap
clothes upon the patient, and to give him things of a
hot nature, as spirits, spiceries, &c. which fire his
blood, increase the spasms, and render the disease
more dangerous.
In all fevers a proper attention should be paid to
the patient’s longings. These are the calls of nature,
and often point out what may be of real use. Patients
are not indeed to be indulged in every thing that
the sickly appetite may crave; but it is generally
right to let them have a little of what they eagerly
desire, though it may not seem altogether proper.
What the patient longs for, his stomach will gene¬
rally digest; and such things have sometimes a very
happy efiect.
When a patient is recovering from a fever, great
care is necessary to prevent a relapse. Many persons,
by too soon imagining themselves well, have lost
their lives, or contracted other diseases of an obstinate
nature. As the body after a fever is weak and
delicate, it is necessary to guard against catching"
cold. Moderate exercise in the open air will be of
use, but great fatigue is by all means to be avoided;
agreeable company will also have a good effect. The
diet mast be light, but nourishing. It should be
taken frequently, but in small quantities. It is