Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/533

505&#93; ROS Ol' Erysipelas, is an infiarrlmation and swelling of the skin, which disappear up(Mi pressure, but sud- denly return ; being attended with a4i ardent fever, the principal symploms of which are drowsiness, and sometimes delirium. It fre- quently attacks the face, though other parts are not exempt from its influence. This eruptive disorder is very- apt to change its place on the hu- man body. In its progress, the redness extends over the contigu- ous pans, and usually vanishes from those previously aftt^cted. The in- flamm-tio :, however, does not pro- duce any remission of the ftver, ■which, in some instances, even in- creases durin ., the progressive erup- tion ; and, in general, continues for eight or ten days. When the in- flammatory symptoms have pre- vailed for some time, vesicles of various sizes, containing a thin yel- lowish liquor, are usually observed to arise on ditfcrent parts. Though the surface of tiie skin, thus blis- tered, sometimes assumes a livid hue, this circumstance is by no fheans alarming. " On the contrary, the sound surface of the skin, scales oti' towards the end of the disease. It no delirium, or other afFeciion of tlie bram intervene, the event is generally favourable ; but persons, who have once bren attacked widi tiiC Hose, are liable to frequent returns, especially in die spring and autumn. Causes : — Violent passions ; irre- gular secretion of the bile ; sup- pression of habitual evacuations, stich as piles and bleedings ; ex- ternal injuries; acrid and coarse food, dilhcult of digesdon, ike. Hence, we recommend to per- sons who are pre-disposed to this ^ffedion, a rigid abstinence from- ROS Iso^ fat and viscid provisions, particu- larly pickled, dried, and high-sea- soned dishes : they should adopt a cooling, light, and vegetable diet, their beverage consisting of a mild white wine ; the gcod effects of which will be gveatiy promoted by- moderate exercise, and taking one or two drams ot cream of tartar iu a glass of water, every night, q;i retiring to rest. Care : — ^The principal attention must be direttcd to the inilamma- tovy stage of the disorder. It will, therefore, be indispensably neces- sary to refrain from ail animal I'ood, spirituous liquors, &c. — In the be- ginning of the complaint, copious decoctions of dried elder-flowers, with a ftw grains of nitre dissolved in the liquor, will be of great ser- vice ; beside which, the bowels ought to be opened by mild, cool- ing laxatives. Lt, in the progress of the disease, a foul stomach should be observed, without ex- cessive febrile heat, an emetic may- be taken with advantage. — Blood- letting must not be attempted with- out due piecaulion; as it will be proper only in cases where the t)rain is affected by the fever. Bat, if the disease be attended with ge- neral debility, bark and wine must be immediately and freely admi- nistered. Should, nevertheless, symptoms of mortification appear, the treatment, stated under the article Gan'ghene, will be- gene- rally found effectual, in checking itfj progress. — Having, on many occasions, witnessed the bad ef- fects of moist or unduous appli- cations, in the true Hose (though KiRKLANX) and others have indis- criniinately recommended them), we cannot omit this opportunity of cautioning the reader against such praC:tice§. Accoiding to our ex-- perience.