148 Remarks on the Treatment of the Measles. 



XX. Remarks on the Treatment of the Measles. In a 

 Letter to the Editor, from Cosmo G. Steven- 

 son, M. D., of Baltimore. 



Dear Sir, 



SO much lias been said on the subject of 

 measles, that I should not presume to occupy your time 

 in the perusal of this letter, did I not conceive it re- 

 flects such light upon the treatment of the disease, 

 which, if once adopted, will be as certain of safety, as 

 that vaccination prevents the variolous infection. 



The first case which came under my notice, this sea- 

 son, occurred in the early part of January last. I had been 

 taught to consider this disease as a peculiar inflamma- 

 tory eruptive complaint, having a determination to the 

 lungs; and, lest the matter should fall upon those vis- 

 cera, was directed to keep the patient warm, give saf- 

 fron-tea, cordials, sudorifics, &c, to preserve the erup- 

 tion upon the surface; and bleed occasionally. This 

 treatment I formerly pursued, but under it many died, 

 and, upon the whole, the issue, in regard to health, was 

 very precarious, often leaving a predisposition to pul- 

 monary affections. I revolved these facts in my mind, 

 and determined this season to adventure a different plan 

 altogether, as their termination could not be more fatal. 



My first care was to keep the patient in a room 

 without fire, and almost destitute of covering. Next 

 to administer cold water as a common drink, and in pro- 

 portion to the patients' desire ; and to suffer them to 



