Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/557

Rh apartment cleared of foul, mephitic vapours, either by mild aromatic fumigations, or more effectually, by the steam of vinegar. For the same reason, all soiled linen, as well as the night-chair, &c. should be immediately removed; the bed frequently made; and an assemblage of persons never suffered to vitiate the atmosphere of a patient's room.

3. Let the temperature of the air be cool rather than warm; yet this general rule may admit of exceptions in particular cases: only a moderate degree of warmth should, likewise, be allowed with respect to the bed-clothes, and especially the covering, which ought to be soft and light. When the strength of the patient permits, he should be encouraged to rise, and spend part of the day, sitting either in bed or on a chair; but carefully avoiding a draught of air, or taking cold: hence he should not too suddenly venture to leave the house.

4. In regard to , he must abstain from crude and heating animal flesh, such as bacon, ham, boiled beef, hard eggs, &c. from dry, flatulent, acrid, salted, and such provisions as increase the bulk of feculent excretions. Thus, white meat in the most frugal portions, blended with vegetables of a mucilaginous and nutritive kind, such as, , , , &c. as well as light dishes of, , or , in a liquid rather than solid form, and particularly baked or roasted , will be found the most conducive to health. In certain cases, however, raw fruit may be abundantly allowed; but the patient must never eat any food against his appetite; and if, during the crisis of a disease, he should express a strong desire for a particular dish, no prudent physician will object to the gratifying of this natural inclination, unless the substance claimed be obviously possessed of hurtful qualities.

5. In the article of , a chronic patient cannot be too cautious. In general, he ought to give the preference to simple, pure, or ptisan made of pearl- and ; or ; toast and water; or this fluid acidulated with the juice of or , and sweetened with  or. All are, in general, unnecessary and detrimental, unless required from particular circumstances.

6. The important process of  also deserves to be duly regulated: every time the patient has profusely perspired, he ought to change his, which should be previously warmed; and, if there prevail no peculiar irritability in the system, will always be found the most beneficial dress next the skin.

In short, every object, tending to alarm or disturb the patient, should be carefully removed; his sleep rendered as quiet and comfortable as possible; and, if his strength and appetite begin to improve, he ought to redouble his attention, both as to the time and manner of taking muscular exercise, not less than to his mental exertions, as well as with regard to the gradual change of the quantity and quality of his aliment.  CHRYSALIS, or, in natural history, is a term, expressing that form of butterflies, moths, chafers, and other which they assume, while in a state of rest and apparent insensibility; before they arrive at their winged or most perfect state. This transformation, says