36 PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. 



inhale the steam of vinegar and water ; and if not able to do it him- 

 self, the same liquid should be copiously injected through the nose 

 and mouth from an elastic bottle. The bowels should be regularly- 

 cleared by mild aperients and enemata. The citrate of ammonia, 

 given in a state of etfervescence, is an excellent medicine in most 

 cases. Cool sponging is of service when the heat of the surface is 

 steadily high ; but in malignant cases it is to ivine that the practi- 

 tioner has chiefly to look for the safety of his patient. 



The internal and external use of chlorine throughout this disease 

 is highly recommended by some authors. It may be used either in 

 the tbrm of the aq. chlorinii fSss, aquse font, f Iviij, and syrup, f 3j ; 

 a tablespoonful of the mixture being given every hour or two. Or 

 it may be given in the form of a solution of chlorate of potassa, in 

 the proportion of a drachm to a pint of water, and used ad libitum. 

 It may also be used as a gargle to the throat. When pseudo-mem- 

 branous or gangrenous patches are observed in the fauces, and the 

 colour of the membrane is dark-red, an infusion of capsicum is an 

 excellent application. The sulphate of zinc, or nitrate of silver, is 

 also useful under similar circumstances. When the sloughs are 

 offensive, the foetor may be often corrected by a creasote gargle, or 

 a gargle of pyroligneous acid in solution. 



Belladonna is sometimes used as a preventive. It may be given 

 in a solution made by dissolving three grains of the extract in a 

 fluidounce of distilled water, of which three drops is the dose for a 

 child under one year, increasing it one drop for every year. 



During convalescence, the patient should be protected from cold, 

 and ought occasionally to employ tepid baths, and frictions to the 

 surface. 



ERYSIPELAS. 



This is an exanthematous fever affecting the skin or the sub- 

 cutaneous cellular tissue, or both. It arises from an animal poison, 

 and is not contagious ; but there are some minor varieties that ought 

 rather to be called erythema, that are caused by disorder of the 

 digestive organs or of the general health. 



There are two chief varieties of it : — the simple, which affects 

 the skin, and ends in vesication and oedema; the phlegmonous, 

 which affects the subcutaneous cellular tissue likewise, and causes 

 unhealthy suppuration and sloughing. 



SIMPLE ERYSIPELAS. 



Erysipelas always begins with shivering, nausea, and other signs 

 of fever, and derangement of the stomach. The skin of the part 

 affected becomes slightly swollen, and of a red colour; there is 

 acute pain, with a sensation of burning heat, but no throbbing, as 

 in phlegmon. The redness disappears on the slightest pressure, 



