142 MEMOIR OF DR WRIGHT. 



shall not prevent me from sending you such in the mean time- 

 as I can spare." 



In a subsequent letter he says, — 



" I shall again carefully examine the second edition of 

 your Reports, and make such remarks as occur to me. Dr 

 "Gkegoiiy has used the cold dash or affusion in a few cases, 

 with success. Drs Hope and Home have also succeeded, and 

 all of them recommend the practice in their academical lec- 

 tures. 



" At Glasgow," he adds, " they are bolder. The influ- 

 enza has been rife here," he continues, " and fatal to many. 

 The interference of the physician, and still more, that of the 

 surgeon and apothecary, has, I suspect, helped many out of 

 the world, in a very summary way, by treating the patients as 

 for a common cold. Like other contagious disorders, I con- 

 ceive the reigning distemper to be a. fever of debility, which 

 does not require the lancet or other profuse evacuation. 



" I keep my patients, when in bed, very lightly covered : 

 I recommend them to get up during the day; and, unless very 

 ill, to walk about in moderate weather, in the open air : On 

 any heat or flushing taking place, I desire the hands, face and 

 neck to be washed suddenly in cold water. I allow the pa- 

 tient such diet as he likes best, and to the opulent I order a 

 liberal allowance of wine ; to others strong ale, porter, or dilu- 

 ted spiritous liquors after meals. I have never lost a patient 

 by this treatment. 



" The cold dash, well timed, will not only cure all febrile ex- 

 acerbations, but prevent their taking place. Of this I am con- 

 vinced from daily observation. When any one is threatened 

 with fever, I direct washing the face, and especially the fore- 

 head, with the coldest water, three or four times a-day ; and 

 I give Dr Faulkner credit for thinking, that the cold affu- 

 sion will prevent the plague itself. 



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