Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/407

373&#93; YEL service to persons, who reside in those tropical climates, or propose to visit them at any future period, we shall also subjoin a. concise view of the various moles of treating this malady, praftised by Drs. Hillary, Moseley, Rush, Clark, Blane and Jackson. With a view to moderate the ra- pid motion of the fluids, and to abate the violence of the yellow fe- ver, during the first two days. Dr. Hillary direfts blood-letting, in the proportion of from 12 to 20 oz. according to the age, strength and other circumstances attending the case of th^ patient. The next in- dication is, to evacuate putrid bile, and corrupted humours, with such expedition as may be consistent with safety : hence Dr. H. advises small but frequent draughts of warm wa- ter to be swallowed, with the oc- casional addition of a little oxymel, green tea, &C.5 when a grain, or a grain and a half, of crude opium is given, in order to compose the sto- machafter the violent retching, pain, and anxiety, necessarily occasioned by severe vomiting. And, as this or- gan is unable to retain either solid or fluid matters, the body should be kept open, by means of a mild purging clyster. The third indica- tion is, to prevent the putridity of the fluids, and also the approach of gangrene, by exhibiting proper antiseptics: — For suuh purpose. Dr. H. prescribes a slight infusion of the Virginian Snake-root ; as it braces the stomach, and enables it 10 bear the Peruvian bark. — A more particular account of Dr. Hilla- ry's treatment, may be found in his " Observations on the Air and, X)iseases of Barbadoes." Dr. MosELEV recommends re- jpeated bleeding in the first stage. YEL [373 and continued purging with vitrio- lated tartar. Dr. Rush bleeds copiously and repeatedly ; gives purgatives com- posed of calomel and jalap j then continues the calomel alone, till, it atFeds the mouth. He conceives,' tliat as the symptoms of the yellow fever are extremely violent, and its. progress is uncommonly rapid, the most efficacious remedies ought to be employed, as early as possible. Hence venesection should, in his opinion, not be deferred beyond the. first day ; for it is of peculiar ser- vice to persons of robust and ple- tlioric habits, especially such as have recently arrived from Europe. And, though this operation may not be performed sufficiently early to save life, yet it contributes greatly to relieve the suiierings of the pa- tient. Farther, it will be advisable to take some blood, every day, while the fever continues: the quantity to be drawn depends on the state of the pulse, and that of the weather. Thus, Dr, Rush found two bleedings sufficient to subdue the fever in September (the hottest month in America) j but, in proportion as the violence of the inflammatory fever increas- ed, it M'as deemed necessary to take from 12 to 20 ounces, twice, and in some cases, three times, in the course of the day. The blood appeared thick and sizy ; nay, it is a remarkable fa£t, that patients of every age can support the Joss of that fluid, much better in the yel- low, dian in any other inflamma- tory fever. After venese6tiou, pur- gatives were administered : with this intention, small doses of calo- mel, consisting of 2 or 3 grains, taken every hour, or, of 5 grains, combined with half a grain of opi- Bb3 uroj