238 On Diseases and Accidents of Farmer s\ 



to the surface. Tamarind water, or thorough-wort* tea 

 are excellent for this purpose. Frequent pur^nng in this 

 disease is essential to clear the bowels of bile, which 

 forms with great rapidity, and when collected in the sto- 

 mach, causes a return of fever. For this purpose, three 

 or four grains of calomel should be given at night, and 

 a dose of epsom salts early in the morning, every other 

 day. When the fever continues obstinate^ after the loss 

 of blood, and a thorough evacuation of the bowels, with 

 great heat and dryness of the skin, the body should be 

 sponged with cool water and vinegar, which will often 

 " break a fever,'^ that would otherwise prove very tedious. 

 Should the fever still continue, no time is to be lost in 

 causing a slight salivation, by giving three grains of calo- 

 mel every two hours. The fever will cease as soon as 

 the mercury takes effect. Relapses are to be guarded 

 against by avoiding exposure to bad weather; b\ occa- 

 sional purging, and caution in indulging a returning ap- 

 petite. Much may be done by persons living in sickly 

 countries, or in times of a prevailing epidemic fever, to 

 prevent disease, by taking a dose of Peruvian bark every 

 morning, or by eating breakfast before going out ; avoid- 

 ing wet feet, checks to perspiration, night air, especially 

 during sleep, and a blazing sun. 



Fever and Ague, — Is the epidemic disease of a marshy 

 country or district ; but it is often produced by exposure 

 to draughts of air uhen the body is heated, and in a state 

 of perspiration. The proper mode of treatment rs an 

 emetic about three hours before the cold fit is expected ; 

 then a purge, and finally, the Peruvian bark during the 

 intervals of the disease. A large tea-spoonful may be 

 taken every hour or two in water, or sound wine of any 

 kind. The addition of one clove, and of ten grains of 

 Virginia snake-root, both in poxvder^ will increase its 



^ Or bone-set. Eupatorium perfoliatum. 



