374 FEVERS AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



well known that aperients, and especially calomel, have the 

 property of restoring the suspended action of the liver ; but 

 they also have an injurious effect upon the strength of the 

 general system, and therefore must be used with great cau- 

 tion; the best formulsB being (13) or (15) given only once 

 or twice, at intervals of two or three days. After the secre- 

 tions are restored, the next thing to be done is to look out for 

 the complications in the brain, lungs, and bowels, which are to 

 be expected ; and, if present, to counteract them by appropriate 

 remedies. Thus a seton put into the back of the neck, cover- 

 ing the tape with blister ointment, will be likely to relieve the 

 head, together with cold applications of vinegar and water by 

 means of a sponge. At the same time the fever mixture (51) 

 may be regularly administered. For any trifling complication 

 in the lungs the fever powder (49) will generally suffice ; but, 

 if severe, blood must be taken from the neck vein ; though this, 

 if possible, should be avoided, and the cough bolus or draught 

 (46) or (47) administered. Dairrhcea must be at once checked by 

 one of the mixtures (6) or (8) ; or, if very severe, by the pill (19). 

 At the same time, rice-water should be given as the only 

 drink ; and beef-tea, thickened with arrow-root or rice, as the 

 sole article of diet, changing it occasionalh' for port wine and 

 arrow-root. When the stage of exhaustion has commenced, the 

 tonic mixture (63) will almost always be required ; and it is 

 astonishing what may be done by a perseverance in its use. 

 Dogs which appear to be dying will often recover ; and no case 

 should be given up as long as there is any life remaining. 



