Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/403

369&#93; Y E L ll. Is. in boards), designed chiefly for the use of families and planta- tions," — This intelligent pradi- ticnerjnstly observes, that the mis- understanding on the subject has probably arisen from an improper Use of terms, or from the variable character of the disease ; accord- ing to the prevailing constitution of the season ; the quantity and force of contagious matter, and other causes. He is fully convin- ced, that it is not regularly one and the same disorder j but is often a compound, at one time partaking of the nature of the Malignant Fe- ver, at another resembling the Bi- lious Remittent. Hence, it is not uniformly contagious, and the fe- ver of new-corners may not always be malignant : there are instances in which, on their first arrival, they had a common fever, which after- wards changed into the yellow fe- ver ; though the reverse of this ge- nerally occurs. Means of Prevention : — Dr.DAN- CER observes, that, though bleed- ing is precarious and hazardous af- ter the fever has commenced, it may, nevertheless, in particular cases, where the habit is very full, &c. be considered as a mean of pre- servation. Young and athletic per- sons, therefore, may on their first arrival lose a lew ounces of blood : their bowels should, on the same principle, be kept open ; and every species of intemperance, as also ex- posure to the sun, and evening air, ought to be carefully avoided. It is, however, of still gieater con- sequence to retreat, as soon as pos- sible, from the shipping and sea- shore, the seats of infeftion, to a pure, airy, cool situation in the country, and there to remain for some months. Dr. D. has known many young men, who thus have NO. XV, — VOL. IV. Y E L [369 avoided any dangerous fever ; and some who, by returning too speedi- ly to the towns or sea-ports, fdi vidtims to the disease. "The prevailing mortality among new comers (says this accurate observer), is a good deal to be at- tributed to their own misconduft. Coming out in convoys, they ar- rive in numbers 5 meet at taverns j and, allured by scenes of novelty, they walk the streets, indulge to excess in the use of the country fruits 5 and enter too readily into the customs of theseasoned inhabitants, which are not at all suited to per- sons in their situation." According to tiie experience of Dr. Clark, the best preventive of this destrudive epidemic, is mer- cury. Hence, he advises all per- sons, who have sufficient leisure, to undergo one or two courses of tiiat medicine, after their arrival in the West Indies J to take a few laxatives ; to confine themselves to a moderate use of wine ; and to live principally on fruits and ve- getables, for the first two months: tor, by pursuing such condu6t, " they may rely almost to a cer*' tainty on escaping the fever." "With respect to the charaStet- is tic syrnptorns of this malignant disorder, we cannot, on comparing several authors who have written on the subject, sele£t a better or more corred description, than the following, given by Dr. Dancer j whose words we do not hesitate to quote 5 especially as many of oar readers, or their relations, residing in Jamaica, or other parts of the Western World, must feel greatly interested on the occasion : " This fever, then, "peculiar to new -comers, attacks suddenly 3 with alternate fits of heat and cold ; violent pain in ■ the head and back. The face is B b prodi-