DIL. | i4 
monious. However this be, it is indubitable that 
diluents are important aids in the cure of many 
febrile complaints, and should never be lost sight 
of by the practitioner. When given warm, they 
aid in a striking manner, the salutary operation of 
other remedies, as diuretics and diaphoretics. They 
are useful in all urinary disorders, relieving ardor 
urine of gonorrhea, and the pain of strangury-. 
When this affection occurs in consequence of in- 
flamed bladder, it is obvious they are well calcula- 
ted to promote the healthy restoration of the part, 
by obtunding that acridity of the urine increased 
to an intolerable degree by the general febrile ex- 
citement of the system, in which the kidnies sym- 
pathise. Formerly great errors prevailed in ref- 
erence to the propriety of giving cold drinks in 
fevers, of whatever kind: but in our day the ra- 
tional observance of the calls of nature, in a dis- 
eased state of the system, has secured to many a 
thirsting patient, suffering from the exacerbation of 
an ardent fever, that salubrious and grateful medi- 
cine a glass of cool water; and physicians are no 
longer incredulously listened to when they accede 
to a patients request for this beverage, by stating 
to the attendants, that it is a proper and requisite 
= for his feverish system wasting from the 
devastating inroads of a burning fire within. Who 
that has ever felt the assuaging effect of this reme- 
dy, under such circumstances, would deny it to 
his patient? The only modification of diluents, in 
” the treatment of febrile diseases, necessary to be 
observed by the practitioner, isin reference to the 
quantity given at one time, where the stomach is 
irritable, and might endure a little, but would re- 
ject much, of any fluid, unless exhibited at frequent 
intervals: and also to avoid giving them cold, when — 
the skin is open. In this state of the body, if itbe 
