Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/102

82&#93; 82] S M A heat and cold; respiration is diffi- cult, and the breath f lid. Gene- rally, on the tliird day, small red spots appearj particularly on the face and about the neck, which gradually spread, sometimes over tlic whole body, and rise into pim- ples till the fifth day, whcMt they are observed to contain fluid mat- ter.: in the course of eight days, they begin to suppurate ; a change which may be ascertained by their opacjue, white, and at length yel- low colour. A crust is then form- ed, which generally falls off, after the twelfth day, frequently leaving depressed scars or pits iii the skin. Such is the course of the disease, in its milder state. The small- pox is divided into two species, 1. the dUtincl, and 2. the confluent : in the former, the pustules are few and separate, with circular margins, being elevated, and the fever ceasing on the ap- pearance of the eruption. In the latter, the pustules arc numerous and close, with irregular margin.-, flaccid, and low : the fever con- tinuing even after the pustules are visible; and all the symptoms are more violent. — Convulsions, which in many cases occur, before the eruption is discernible, are seldom atiuided with danger ; but, if in- tervening in the progress of the disease, they often terminate fatally. It may, likewise, be con.sidered as a favourable circumstance, if the eruptive fever cease with the ap- pearance of the pustules, and the patient feel him.ielf more vigorous on the subsequent day. The event, however, greatly depends on the fever ; which generally com- mences at the period, whe'. real matter is formed in tlic pustule 3 but, if it appear before that stage. SM A the worst consequences may be ap- prehended. The small-pox is occasioned by a specific contagion, which may be imparted to the body, either by the atmosphere, or by the introdue^tii iv of a small portion of matter intu a wound : — See Inocvlation. Cure : — If the disorder be mild, and attended with such symptom-;- as have been mentioned in the Ui^- //'/icZ small-pox, the recovery should be chiefly entrusted to Nature, while every attention must be paid to diet and regimen. Previous to. the appearance of the pustules, the patient shouldbe kept in a cool, but dry apartment, well aired, and ab- stain from all animal food ; thcnigh weak broths may be occasionally allowed : on the other hand, he may eat all vegetables of a cooling and mucilaginous kind ; boiled and roasted fruit ; preparations of pearl- barley, sago, cherries, currants, mulberries, &c. ; but cheese, pas- try, and cosfedtionary, are very perniciou.s. The beverage should consist of barley-water acidulated with vinegar or cream of tartar ; or one part of milk, mixed with three parts of water, either to be taken lukewarm ; but wine, beer, coffee and tea, ought to be prohibited. I'oo great indulgence in sleep is also injurious, particularly on fea- ther-beds, which always increase the heat and fever : it would be more advisable to lie on mattresses, and be lightly covered. — It is a ccmmion prejudice of the vulgar, not to shift the linen during the whole complaint ; but this change cannot be too strongly inculcated in a disease, where perspiration and eruption render the covering of the skin impure ; though great precaution is required, that every new