Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/485

451&#93; CAT Sflry in these, and similar affec- tions. As, however, catarrhs are sometimes attended with a slight degree of inflammation, and fever, their treatment must be regulated accordingly: but, if unaccompa- nied with febrile symptoms,- there is no danger to be apprehended. In the latter case, only, we shall suggest a few directions for ma- naging those frequent complaints, which are generally neglected at their commencement. It was formerly maintained, that all colds may be cured by sudorific remedies ; but experience has prov- ed that this method, though some- times successful, has often been productive of injury. In modern times, the opposite treatment has been adopted, and both the inter- nal use, and external application of cold water, have been indiscri- minately recommended. The true and proper plan, however, appears to be the medium between these extremes j for it cannot be doubt- ed, that keeping the body too warm, and excessive indulgence in hot, diluent drink, predispose it to catarrhs ; as, on the other hand, the internal and external use of cold water tends to strengthen the whole animal frame, anil renders it less susceptible of the impressions of air and cold. But, unfortunate- ly, the preservative means have, in this instance, been confounded with the curative, or those intend- ed for effecting the cure. — Hence, in the beginning of every catarrh, the following particulars deserve attention : 1. To dilute and weaken the acrid humor, secreted by the glands : this purpose may be at- tained by inhaling the steam of water, and drinking proper quan- tities of warm diluents. CAT Ui 1. To prevent too great a de- fluxion of humors, or to render the mucus itself milder, and fa- cilitate its excretion, it will be of great advantage to apply vesi- catories contiguous to the parts most affected by the cold. (See Blister.) 3. To evacuate the concerted, or digested matter : this salutary effect is accomplished either by spontaneous defluxion, or by the pores and urine. Both must be principally intrusted to Nature ; as we should assist, and direct, her operations only in the mildest, and must cautiuas manner. Dr. Mudge, in a treatise on this disease, recommends the steam of hot water, as a most efficacious and safe remedy, and which in- deed he considers as almost infal- lible. The method of inhaling these steams is very simple ; but he observes that, for healthy per- sons, who may accidentally see his machine, great precaution is ne- cessary, not to make the experi- ment of respiring through cold water; as thus they would be al- most certain of contracting a severe cold. For those troubled with a catarrh, he directs as follows : In the evening, a little before bed- time, the patient, if an adult, is to take three drams, or as many tea- spoonfuls of paregoric elixir, in a glass of water: but, if a child un- der five years of age, one tea- spoonful ; or, from five to ten years old, two. About three quarters, of an hour after, the pa- tient should go to bed, and, being covered warm, the inhaler three parts filled with water,, nearly at the boiling point (which from the coldness of the metal, and the time it ordinarily requires before it is used, will be of a proper tem- C t g 2 pcraturc),