TREATMENT OF ACUTE DISEASES. -i~7 



ter which the Peruvian bark, or Jesuit's bark of Jamaica*, 

 has completed the cure. 



In bilious remittents I have seen a yellow BufltiSIon over 

 the whole body occur in the course of* the disease ; sometimes 

 in the first stage, but more frequently towards the end of the 

 fever, which too often terminated fatally. 



In I78"5 a gcntleman-f- at Hampden estate, in Jamaica, was 

 seized with a bilious remittent, attended with constant retch- 

 ing and vomiting of bile. I was called to his assistance on 

 the fourth day of his disorder ; his skin was then of a deep 

 yellow colour, and his urine tinged linen cloth, as in jaun- 

 dice : the whole of his symptoms indicated extreme danger. 

 My first object was to procure stools by means of stimulating 

 injections, and small doses of the compound powder of jalap ; 

 but as the vomiting continued, and the fever remained high, 

 I determined to give him two grains of calomel every two 

 hours. On the following day he was better, but the use of 

 the calomel was continued till the evening, at which time his 

 stomach was settled. He had two copious evacuations by 

 stool ; the fever was greatly abated, and there was a gentle 

 moisture on the skin, which I encouraged by small doses of 

 antimonial wine, and watery tepid drinks. After this he re- 

 covered daily, but the yellowness of the skin continued some 

 weeks before it wore completely off. 



There are other acute diseases, in warm countries, that are 

 very destructive in their nature ; among these is the hepatitis, 

 or inflammation of the liver. It is either acute* or chronic. 

 In acute hepatitis there are strong symptoms of phlogistic 

 diathesis ; and these I endeavour to obviate by a moderate 

 bleeding, gentle laxatives, and diluting drinks. The applica- 

 tion of a blister over the part affected is sometimes useful. If 



the Royal Society oi' Edinburgh, vol. iii. and Medical Fads and Observa- 

 tions, vol. v. 



* Philosophical Transactions, vol. lxvii. 



+ Mr Alexander TiiORTtunx. at present in Scotland. 



