624 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



applied to the body." This is rendered difficult when the pa- 

 tients lie in linens, which are indeed sufficiently favourable 

 for sweating but liable to become very cold upon being remov- 

 ed a little from the body. We must, therefore, avoid that cold 

 moist linen be again applied to the surface of the body ; nay, 

 this consideration renders it more proper to give the patient a 

 flannel shirt, or to put him into blankets only. If, however, 

 he will not submit to lie in wool, we must obviate the incon- 

 venience in any remission of the sweating by shifting the pa- 

 tient entirely. There has been much fear from the change of 

 linen in fevers in general ; but it may be practised with the 

 utmost safety if the linen is warm and sufficiently dry." 



CLXIX. When attention is to be given to these rules, the 

 sweating may be excited, 1. By warm bathing, or a fomenta- 

 tion of the lower extremities. 2. By frequent draughts of te- 

 pid liquors, chiefly water, rendered more grateful by the addi- 

 tion of a light aromatic, or more powerful by that of a small 

 quantity of wine. 3. By giving some doses of neutral salts. 

 4. Most effectually, and perhaps most safely, by a large dose of 

 an opiate, joined with a portion of neutral salts, and of an emetic. 



In what cases may cold water, thrown into the stomach in 

 large quantities, be employed to excite sweating ? (See Celsus, 

 lib. iii. cap. vii. ix.) 



CLXX. The fourth means (CLIII. 4.) of determining to 

 the surface of the body, and thereby taking off the spasm affect- 

 ing the extreme vessels, is by the use of emetics. 



CLXXI. Emetics, and particularly antimonial emetics, have 

 been employed in the cure of fevers ever since the introduction 

 of chemical medicines ; but, for a long time, they were employ- 

 ed by chemists and chemical practitioners only ; and although 

 of late the use of them has become very general, their efficacy 

 is still disputed, and their manner of operating is not commonly 

 explained. 



" Emetics, as remedies in fevers, make a very great figure in 

 our present mode of practice ; and their use is now become so 

 general among the most eminent practitioners in all the coun- 

 tries of Europe, that either we can have no doubt of their effi- 

 cacy, or the whole depends upon fashion. 



" I am ready to acknowledge, however, that their effects are 



