G04 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



proves a stimulus to the system, and ought therefore to be as 

 moderate as possible. A total abstinence for some time may be 

 of service ; but as this cannot be long continued with safety, 

 we must avoid the stimulus of aliment by choosing that kind 

 which gives the least. We suppose that alimentary matters 

 are more stimulant, according as they are more alkalescent ; and 

 this leads to avoid all animal, and to use vegetable food only. 

 " Patients in fever are very rarely hurt by a very considerable 

 abstinence. The ancients paid much attention to this subject, 

 and carried abstinence farther than we do. For, if our patients 

 retain their appetite, we are ready to indulge it ; the ancients on 

 the contrary enjoined a total abstinence during the three first 

 days of fever. I entertain doubts, however, whether this is 

 proper as a general rule in fevers, particularly in those which 

 are attended with much debility in their advanced state, where 

 it must be dangerous to lessen the vigour of the system so much 

 at the commencement. If, therefore, the appetite remains, I 

 would not think it very dangerous to gratify it in some measure ; 

 indeed, I think the appetite, if not gratified, might generate an 

 uneasy impression which ought to be avoided ; only I would 

 make a proper choice in the quality of the food." 



As our drinks also may prove stimulant, so all aromatic and 

 spirituous liquors are to be avoided ; and in answering the pre- 

 sent indication, all fermented liquors, excepting those of the 

 lowest quality, are to be abstained from. " There may be a 

 particular exception to this rule, where custom has rendered 

 the use of spirituous liquors habitual and in some measure ne- 

 cessary, some curious instances of which are on record, but they 

 are rare and uncommon cases. 



" In speaking of fermented liquors, we must constantly keep 

 in view that they are to be avoided on account of their stimulus ; 

 hence, I doubt if it is necessary to forbid the use of those of a 

 low quality, which form our common beverage. I believe that 

 Sydenham was perfectly in the right in admitting the use of 

 small beer." 



CXXXI. Beside these stimulant powers more constantly ap- 

 plied, there are others which, although occasional only, yet, as 

 commonly accompanying fevers, must be attended to and re- 

 moved. 



