Diseases > Domestic medicine

DOMESTIC MEDICINE. 217
cadaverous smell. These gradually healed, and the
patient recovered, by the plentiful use of Peruvian
bark and wine, sharpened with the spirits of vitrioL
For preventing putrid fevers we would recommend
a strict regard to cleanliness ; a dry situation ; suffi¬
cient exercise in the open air ; wholesome food, and
a moderate use of generous liquors. Infection ought
above all things to be avoided. No constitution is
proof against it. I have known persons seized with
a putrid fever, by only making a single visit to a
patient in it; others have caught it by lodging for
one night in a town where it prevailed ; and some by
attending the funerals of such as died of it.
When a putrid fever seizes any person in a family,
the greatest attention is necessary to prevent the
disease from spreading. The sick ought to be placed,
in a large apartment, as remote from the rest of the
family as possible ; he ought likewise to be kept
extremely clean, and should have fresh air fre¬
quently let into his chamber; whatever comes from
him should be immediately removed, his linen should
be frequently changed, and those in health ought to
avoid all unnecessary communication with him.
Any one who is apprehensive of having caught the
infection, ought immediately to take a vomit, and to
work it off by drinking plentifully of camomile tea.
This may be repeated in a day or two, if the appre¬
hensions still continue, or any unfavourable symptoms
The person ought likewise to take an infusion of
the bark and camomile flowers for his ordinary drink ;
and before he goes to bed, he may drink an English
pint of pretty strong negus, or a few glasses of
generous wine. I have been frequently obliged to
follow this course, when malignant fevers prevailed,
and have likewise recommended it to others with
constant success.