CLASS II. 1. 3. 11. OP SENSATIOX. 211 



grains to an ounce; or with a very little blue vitriol dissolved in 

 it, as a grain to an ounce; but nothing so instantaneously cor- 

 rects the putrid smell of ulcers as a solution of alum, about half 

 an ounce to a pint of water, which should be a little warmish, 

 and injected into the fauces gently by means of a syringe. These 

 should be repeated frequently in a day, if it can be done easily, 

 and without fatigue to the child. A little powder of bark taken 

 frequently into the mouth, as a grain or two, that it may mix 

 with the saliva, and thus frequently stimulate the dying ton- 

 sils. Could a warm bath made of decoction of bark, or a cold 

 alluviation with it, be of service? Could oxygene gas mixed with 

 common air stimulate the languid system? Small electric shocks 

 through the tonsils every hour? ether frequently applied exter- 

 nally to the swelled tonsils? 



As this disease is attended with the greatest degree of debility, 

 and as stimulant medicines, if given in quantity, so as to produce 

 more than natural warmth, contribute to expend the already too 

 much exhausted sensorial power; it appears, that there is nothing 

 so necessary to be nicely attended to as to prevent any unneces- 

 sary motions of the system; this is best accomplished by the ap- 

 plication of cold to those parts of the skin, which are in the least 

 too hot. Dr. Mosman, of Bradford, directed a boy of eight years 

 of age, who was very hot, and covered with the scarlet eruption, 

 to be taken naked out of bed, and moistened his skin all over 

 with cold vinegar, by means of a sponge, with great and good 

 event. It is probable that cold vinegar might diminish the in- 

 flammation and consequent heat of the skin more effectually than 

 cold water, as its application to the lips renders them pale, pro- 

 bably by stimulating the absorbent extremities of the veins into 

 greater action. Annals of Medicine, Vol. IV. 1799. Secondly, 

 that the exhibition of the bark in such quantity as not to oppress 

 the stomach and injure digestion, is next to be attended to, as 

 not being liable to increase the actions of the system beyond 

 their natural quantity; and that opium and wine should be given 

 with the greatest caution, in very small repeated quantity, and 

 so managed as to prevent, if possible, the cold fits of fever; 

 which probably occur twice in 25 hours, obeying the lunations 

 like the tides, as mentioned in Sect. XXXII. 6. that is, I sup- 

 pose, the cold periods, and consequent exacerbations of fever, in 

 this malignant scarlatina, occur twice in a lunar day; which is 

 about ten minutes'less than 25 hours; so that if the commence- 

 ment of one cold fit be marked, the commencement of the next 

 may be expected (if not disturbed by the exhibition of wine, or 

 opium, or the application of blisters) to occur in about twelve 



