558 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



A much more effectual method is cold-bathing, which has 

 often proved of service, after warm coverings and other such 

 things have been tried in vain, by enabling the body to resist 

 the cold air, when applied. The second general head turns on 

 avoiding every thing which may weaken the system, as ab- 

 stinence, evacuations, &c. In this kind of headach, two to- 

 pical applications are more particularly admissible during the 

 fit. 



" In hot fits of headach, warm applications rather aggra- 

 vate the pain ; but cold applications have been thought use- 

 ful in this case : these, however, are precarious, and even of 

 dangerous effect ; for, by preventing the increased impetus, 

 they often increase the force of the determination to the part. 

 If they should happen, too, to correct the fit, they may perhaps 

 change it to some more dangerous affection of the brain : thus 

 a paralytic affection of the external parts, as particularly of the 

 eyelid, is often the consequence of cold applications during fits 

 of the headach. None of them are proper in a hot fit ; but, 

 in a cold one, warm clothes, fomentations, warm bags, &c. often 

 give much relief. Their use seems to be confined to such cases, 

 where strong odours are of service. Thus, in a cold fit, the 

 volatile or even caustic alkali, as in the Eau de luce, is very 

 useful ; or spirits of wine, as Hungary water. There are some 

 other external applications peculiarly adapted to these fits, as 

 aether, which is perhaps only proper here. It acts, not only as 

 an antispasmodic, but, by exciting heat, and a swelling of the 

 part : and, if it has not this effect, it is seldom of any great 

 service. The usual way of applying it, is to put a little of it 

 in the hollow of the hand, and hold it to the pained part, till 

 the glowing heat is removed ; but it is apt to escape from the 

 hollow of the hand ; so that it is better to dip a little ball of 

 cotton in aether, and apply it to that part, covering it with one's 

 hand, or with a bladder between one's hand and the forehead. 

 Warm applications, stimuli, antispasmodics, &c. may also be 

 used : thus, the essence of lemons, with volatile alkali, is often 

 of equal service with aether, and was accordingly frequently 

 used by the late Dr. Ward. All these are improper in the hot 

 fit, in which topical bleedings are the most sure method of relief. 



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