FEVERS. 623 



CLXVII. Though the doubts started (CLXIV.) are to be 

 attended to, and although the practices (CLXV.) having been 

 found hurtful, are therefore to be rejected, it still remains true, 



1. That sweating has certainly often been useful in prevent- 

 ing the accession of fevers, when the times of this have been cer- 

 tainly foreseen, and a proper conduct employed. 



2. That, even after fevers have in some measure come on, 

 sweating, when properly employed, either at the very beginning 

 of the disease, or during its approach and gradual formation, 

 has often prevented their further progress. 



3. That, even after pyrexioe have continued for some time, 

 sweating has been successfully employed in curing them, as par- 

 ticularly in .the case of rheumatism. 



4. That certain fevers, produced by a very powerful sedative 

 contagion, have been generally treated, so far as we yet know, 

 most successfully by sweating. 



CLXVIII. These instances (CLXVII.) are in favour of 

 sweating, but give no general rule, and it must be left to fur- 

 ther experience to determine how far any general rule can be 

 established in this matter. In the mean time, if the practice of 

 sweating is to be attempted, we can venture to lay down the fol- 

 lowing rules for the conduct of it : 



1. That it should be excited without the use of stimulant in- 

 flammatory medicines. 



2. That it should be excited with as little external heat, and 

 with as little increase of the heat of the body, as possible. 



3. That, when excited, it should be continued for a due length 

 of time, not less than twelve hours, and sometimes for twenty- 

 four or forty-eight hours ; always, however, providing that it 

 proceeds without the circumstances mentioned (CLXV. 3. 4.). 



4. That for some part of the time, and as long as the person 

 can easily bear, it should be carried on without admitting of 

 sleep. 



5. That it should be rendered universal over the whole body ; 

 and therefore, particularly, that care be taken to bring the sweat- 

 ing to the lower extremities. 



6. That the practice should be rendered safer by moderate 

 purging, excited at the same time. 



7- That it should not be suddenly checked by cold any how 



