Diseases > Domestic medicine

2G8 buchan’s
Causes.—This is evidently a contagious distem¬
per, and is generally communicated by infection.
Whole families, and even entire villages, often receive
the infection from one person. This ought to put
people upon their guard against going near such pa¬
tients as labour under the disorder; as by that means
they endanger, not only their own lives, but likewise
those of their friends and connections. Whatever
tends to produce putrid or malignant fevers, may
likewise occasion the putrid ulcerous sore throat, as
unwholesome air, damaged provisions, neglect of
cleanliness, &c.
Symptoms.—It begins with alternate fi'.s of shi¬
vering and heat. The pulse is quick, but low and
unequal, and generally continues so, through the
whole course of the disease. The patient complains
greatly of weakness and oppression of the breast;
his spirits are low, and he is apt to faint away when
set upright; he is troubled with a nausea, and often
with a vomiting or purging. The two latter are most
common in children. The eyes appear red and watery,
and the face swells. The urine is at first pale and
crude; but, as the disease advances, it turns more
of a yellowish colour. The tongue is white, and ge¬
nerally moist, which distinguishes this from an
inflammatory disease. Upon looking into the throat
it appears swelled, and of a florid red colour. Pale,
or ash-coloured spots, however, are here and there
interspersed, and sometimes one broad patch or spot,
of an irregular figure, and pale white colour, sur¬
rounded with florid red, only appears. These whitish
spots, or sloughs, cover so many ulcers.
An efflorescence, or eruption upon the neck, arms,
breast, and fingers, about the second or third day, is
a common symptom of this disease. When it appears,
the purging and vomiting generally cease.