Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/492

464&#93; 464] oui with swelling, rednes<?, snd mu- cous crusts of a whitish or ash- colour, which cover the ulcers : it Is attended with a putrid fever, the greater or less violence of which determines the d<^gree of appre- hension for the Ife of the patient, — This malady originates in a con- tagion of the air, similar to the small-pox, and other epidemic dis- eases. The fourth is an wjinmmatlon nf the windpipe, when the breath- ing is difficult ; the inspirations are loud ; the voice is hoarse with a cough, but scarcely any visible swelling in the throat ; deglutition easy; and the fever is extremely violent. This disorder frequently attacks children, from the time of weaning till the twelfth year of their age, with this peculiar cir- cumstance, that the inside of the Avindpipe is lined with a substance, M'bich is apt toobstru6l the passage of the air, and thus often proves fatal by sudden suffocation, unless timely relief be procured. — See Croup. — A favourable issue, how- ever, may be expefted, if an ex- pect<jration of a yellow matter streaked ' with blood, or even a swelling on the side of the neck appear; which last symptom indi- cates, that the disease will terminate externally. The two first species require a cooling diet, and diluent drink ; such as barley-water with currant- jelly, linseed-tea with honey. Sec, A large blister applied to the chest, or between the shoulders ; and gargJL's of sage-tea, honey and vi- negar, aided by bathing the feet in Warm water, will generally be suf- ficient to procure relief. But, if the swelling coiitinue to increase, leeches should be appl ed to the outside of the neck ; and recourse must be had to other means, in order to promote a suppuration : this may be effetSled by fumigating the throat through a funnel placed over a vessel of hot-water, into which should be thrown some camphor reduced to a coarse pow- der. After the disease is removed, care should be, taken to avoid a re- lapse, by keeping the neck warm ; though ton anxious measures, and crax-ats too heating, would doubt- less lead to the opposite extreme. The cure of the ulcerated sore- throat, depending chiefly on the nature of the fever with whicii it is attended, requires the aid of a pro- fessional man : we shall, therefore, here only point out the regimen to be observed during its course. The diet ought to consist of sago, ta- pioca, panada with a proper quan- tity ot wine; ripe sub-acid frui^, such as prunes, currants, raspberry- jelly, &c. Negus, perry, cyder, &c. may be allowed for drink ; but the patient sh(uld always pre- viously use the gargle above di- rected. His posture in bed ought to be such, that the discharge from the mouth may be facilitated, and the greatest attention must be paid to clean linen and pure air. In the fourth species of quinsy, blood-letting is tiie principal re- medy : hence, from three to six leeches should be immediately ap- plied to each side of the neck, and a blister to the front ; at the same time administering a brisk emetic, to dislodge the membrane which is forming 3 and by the removal of which, the inflammation often speedily disappears. — In this com- plaint, the ])atient should be suf- fered to sleep as little as possible j for no circumstance has a stronger tendency