316 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



in a few days; for the cough, and other catarrhal symptoms do 

 frequently continue longer ; and often, when they appear to 

 be going off, they are renewed by any fresh application of 

 cold. 



MLXI V. Considering the number of persons who are affect- 

 ed with catarrh of either the one species or the other, and es- 

 cape from it quickly without any hurt, it may be allowed to be 

 a disease very free from danger : but it is not always to be con- 

 sidered as such ; for, in some persons, it is accompanied with 

 pneumonic inflammation. In the phthisically disposed, it often 

 accelerates the coming on of phthisis ; and, in elderly persons, 

 it frequently proves fatal in the manner explained above, 

 MLIV. and MLVI. 



MLXV. The cure of catarrh is nearly the same, whether it 

 proceeds from cold or contagion, with this difference, that, in 

 the latter case remedies are commonly more necessary than in 

 the former. 



In the cases of a moderate disease, it is commonly sufficient 

 to avoid cold, and to abstain from animal food for some days ; 

 or perhaps to lie a-bed, and, by taking frequently of some mild 

 and diluent drink a little warmed, to promote a very gentle 

 sweat ; and after these to take care to return very gradually 

 only to the use of the free air. 



"I have known many instances of the disease, both from cold 

 and from contagion, very shortly and safely cured by the use of 

 sudorifics and sweating. But you will recollect what I have 

 mentioned before (CLXVIII.) with regard to the manage- 

 ment of the sweat, as without that it is liable to be hurtful. 

 But it is seldom that so violent a remedy is necessary in this 

 disease. It is commonly enough to cover the body well, and to 

 favour the spontaneous diaphoresis which may occur. In illus- 

 tration of this, we have the practice of Morgagni (Epist xin, 

 art. 3.), in the time of the epidemic in Italy in 1732. I have 

 seen three or four of the present catarrhs, and I have reason to 

 believe, that a person may be affected by them twice. I was 

 attacked in 1733, not in 1742, but again in 17^8, and in two 

 instances since that I have not been affected. By observing 

 Morgagni's measures, I readily obtained an entire relief; but 

 being obliged to go abroad, I was attacked four several times 



