Diseases > Domestic medicine

DOMESTIC MEDICINE- ,*59
The skin at length gives way, and a thin sharp ichor
begins to flow, which corrodes the neighbouring parts,
till it forms a large unsightly ulcer. More occult can¬
cers arise, and communicate with the neighbouring
glands. The pain and stench become intolerable ; the
appetite fails; the strength is exhausted by a continual
hectic fever; at last a violent haemorrhage, or discharge
of blood, from some part of the body, with faintings
or convulsion fits, generally put an end to the miser¬
able patient’s life.
Regimen.—The diet ought to be light, but
nourishing. All strong liquors, and high seasoned of
salted provisions, are to be avoided. The patient may
take as much exercise as he can easily bear; and
should use every method to divert thought, and amuse
his fancy. All kinds of external injury are carefully
to be guarded against, particularly of the affected
part, which ought to be defended from all pressuie,
and even from the external air, by covering it with fur
or soft flannel.
Medicine.—This is one of those diseases for
which no certain remedy is yet known. Its progress
however may sometimes be retarded, and some of
its most disagreeable symptoms mitigated, by proper
applications. One misfortun^ attending the dis¬
ease is, that the unhappy patient often conceals it
too long. Were proper means used in due time, a
cancer might often be cured; but after the disorder
has arrived at a certain height, it generally sets all
medicine at defiance.
When a scirrhous tumour is first discovered, the
patient ought to observe a proper regimen, and to take
twice or thrice a-week a dose of the common purging
mercurial pill. Some blood may also be let, and the
part affected may be gently rubbed twice a-day with
a little of the mercurial ointment, and kept warm with