FEVERS. 635 



suspicion of topical affection, when the blistering ought to be 

 made as near as possible to the part affected. 



CXCVII. Whether Sinapisms, and other Rubefacientia, act 

 in a manner analogous to what we have supposed of blistering, 

 may be doubtful ; but their effects in rheumatism, and other 

 inflammatory diseases, render it probable. 



CXCVIII. The other external means of taking off the spasm 

 of the extreme vessels, is warm bathing. This was frequently, 

 and in various circumstances, employed by the ancients ; but 

 till very lately has been neglected by modern physicians. As 

 the heat of the bath stimulates the extreme vessels, and, with 

 the concurrence of moisture, also relaxes them, it seems to be a 

 safe stimulus, and well suited to take off the spasm affecting 

 them. 



CXCIX. It may be applied to the whole body by immer- 

 sion ; but this is, in many respects, inconvenient ; and whether 

 some of the inconveniences of immersion might not be avoided 

 by a vapour-bath, I have not learned from experience. I 

 know, however, from much experience, that most of the pur- 

 poses of warm-bathing can be obtained by a fomentation of the 

 legs and feet, if properly administered and continued for a due 

 length of time, which ought not to be less than an hour. 



CC. The marks of the good effects of such a fomentation, 

 are, the patient's bearing it easily, its relieving delirium, and 

 inducing sleep. 



" This practice seems well adapted to the advanced state of 

 fever, when the phlogistic diathesis is abated or gone, and the 

 application of heat thereby safe, but when there is still a resis- 

 tance to the sensorium, appearing in delirium, stupor, subsultus, 

 and such like affections, with a weak pulse. The bathing, by 

 its heat stimulating the extreme arteries, and by its heat and 

 moisture relaxing their extremities, seems well fitted for taking 

 off both the atonia and spasm on the surface of the body, and 

 thereby relieving the brain, as a part of both the nervous and 

 the sanguiferous systems. It seldom gives an immediate solu- 

 tion, but by repetition for several days, it commonly contributes 

 to an entire cure. 



" It is to be observed here, that the consideration of both 

 bathing and fomentations seems to show, that in fevers the action 



