Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/406

372&#93; 372] YEL cd ; unless a di8tin6l remission of the fever be perceived. Should the stomach become irritable, and retch- ings commence, a blister must be instantly applied, either to the pit of the stomach, or between the shoulders ; and vitriolic aether be administered in a little water, or in the saline julep before described. The quantity of mercurial oint- ment to be used, as well as the ca- lomel to be taken, during the whole course of this malady, is some- times very considerable, before ei- ther the glands of the mouth are affet^ed, or any remission of the symptoms takes place. In some cases, more than 1 000 grains of ca- lomel have been given, and several ounces of mercurial ointment have been rubbed in, not only with im- punity, but with evident success. — In general, when the salivation commences, the fever and irrita- tion at the stomach subside. Ne- vertheless, it will be necessary to continue the fVidions, in a more moderate degiee, to support the flow of saliva. Although Dr. D, does not pre. tend that this mode of treatment is uniformly efficacious, yet, on com- j>aring it with any other in use, it is, in his opinion, eminently suc- cessful, and affords the patient a double chance ; because it does not hinder the employment of any other means that could be devised, if mercury were not administered. The violence, however, with which the fever frequently attacks, leaves, in many cases, but little hope from any plan of cure whatever: hence, Dr. Blanb justly obseres, that there are instances, where the disease is determinedly fatal, or where the animal fundions are, from the beginning, so deranged, that there are no possible means of restraining the morbid motions; YEL and dissolution necessanly taVe* place. In more fa V 'o in- stances., liowever, i k re- marks, that the sore iu icldom at- tended with any danger, or incon- venience of long duration. He quotes, on this occasion, Mr. Blair, who, in his late publication on the use of the nitric acid, says, that although this sometimes causes sa- livation, yet it is the most powerful means of allaying ptyalism, in- duced by mercury. Indeed, this atFedion of the mouth is not easily removed ; but it may be greatly alleviated by the frequent use of pro- per gargles, such as the following, directed by Dr. Dancer: — Sage- tea, 1 pint ; vinegar, 4 oz. ; and honey, 1 oz. j — or, sage-tea, 1 pint ; honey, 1 or 2 oz. ; and alum, I dram.— The following gargarismwe can recommend, from the frequent experience of its good effeds in similar cases, namely : Equal parts of distilled vinegar and lime-water ; adding a small portion of syrup of red roses, sufficient to sweeten the mixture. The Peruvian bark may, occa- sionally, be given in the latter stages of the yellow fever, to com- plete the cure; but, as it is not always found to agree. Dr. Dan- cer concludes with saying, that farther required." However inconsonant to theory, or to preconceived notions, this mode of treatment may appear to others. Dr. Dancer affirms, that " it has stood the test oj' experience, and ought to be adopted, till a better one has been discovered." — Having thus fairly stated his pradice, ia this virulent disorder, he briefly recapitulates thai of other physi- cians i and, as it may be of some service
 * food and wine are the only things