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Show 168 quence. Other means against ity‘lammation. I have lately been informed of fatal syncope from the same imprudencc. Though long journeys are well performed by some con« valescents, they do occasion relapse; and as soon as the weak traveller feels any decline of appetite or the least chill, he should rest at his peril. But though the general rule is to avoid fatigue, striking exceptions will occur and they should not be unknown to the physician. Dr. Corvisart mentions a patient at Paris who had been ill about ten days, of a very in- tense sort of ardent fever with delirium when the crisis ofAngust 10, 1792, arrived.- Struck oy the first sounds of the tumult, he enquires the cause. and notwithstanding his situation, he makes the utmost efforts, rises and repairs to his post, where he continues onpermanent duty, giving himself up to the agitation and enthusiasm, which those events created. When the whole was over, he found himself quit of his fever. The continued application of cold seems to me wholly to supersede blood-letting in many cases where this is beneficial, and, what is better than a choice between two necessary evils, it bids fair to serve where blood-letting iS a doubtful measure. I shall presently explain myself under the head of temperature. The want ofa medicine which shall second the effect of blood-letting appears upon the face 369 face of innumerable observations on fever.- Such a medicine exists in the digitalis, and it was proposed about 14 years ago by Dr. Reil. I have every reason to speak favourably of its operation, and I believe it is coming much into use. Indeed no article is now more universally employed with analogous views. In this country, we can generally afford to wait. But in some others it ought to be administered with the utmost boldness, consistent with pru- dence. Lastly, let me advert to the necessity of soothing attentions even to prevent in (Immation. The operation of the passions upon the viscera is a common-place theme. A blow on the mind will produce contusion as much as‘ a blow on the body. In fever, where sense is often so acute and the tendency to inflammation always so strong, there is more than double danger from unwelcome impressions.- A variety of medical patients have reported, after recovery, their horrible sufferings from particular sights, tastes, and ideas.» I have elsewhere given the substance of what Dr. Marcus Herz relates ofhis own delirium, which was kept up by his desire to be removed into another room and subsided on gratification.- Where physicians, determined to prevent the flesh from putrifying on the bones, order bark, eel-Ir, night and day, through thick and thin, observant |