VOL. XXXVI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 353 



P.M. lO*' JO" O' A penumbra observed, the moon's limb emerging. 

 10 11 O Tlie limb evidently emerged. 



From the beginning to the end of the eclipse 3'' 44"" O' 



Totally eclipsed 1 38 J 5 



On the Use of Cold JVater in Fevers. By Nicholas Cyrillus, Professor of 

 Physic at Naples, and F. R. S. N° 410, p. 142. An Abstract from the 

 Latin. 



The use of cold water and of cold liquids, in fevers, is by no means new ; on 

 the contrary it was not unfrequent among the most ancient physicians. In 

 ardent fevers, during the height of the paroxysms, they allowed the free exhibi- 

 tion of cold water, or any other cooling liquor, by which means the febrile heat 

 being diminished, the patient often became composed, and a critical sweat suc- 

 ceeded. But to cure fevers by water cooled with snow (aqua nivata*) ad- 

 ministered internally in very large quantities for several successive days, with- 

 holding at the same time all physic and food, is a practice entirely new, and one 

 which at first appeared to be exceedingly bold. This method was introduced at 

 Naples a few years preceding the date of Dr. C.'s account (1729) from Spain. 

 Although, on the first trials, some fever patients who had been given over, were 

 recovered, by giving them large quantities of cold water; yet for some time the 

 more cautious among the Neapolitan physicians hesitated to adopt this novel 

 and drenching mode of cure : but they afterwards became reconciled to it, 

 especially when they saw that, instead of being practised, as at first, indiscrimi- 

 nately and at random, it was at length reduced to method and rule. The fol- 

 lowing are the principal rules to be observed in the use of this aqueous regimen. 

 After some hours abstinence from food, so that the stomach may be empty, the 

 patient is to drink as much as one or two pints of cold water, according to his 

 age, strength, and thirst. The same quantity of water is to be repeated every 

 hour or every second hour, day and night without intermission, except during 

 sleep. All sort of food is at the same time to be withheld ; for it has been 

 found by experience, that when food is given along with these large doses of 

 water it produces a foulness in the stomach, and so alters the quality of the 

 water, as to render it unfit to pervade the minute vessels and produce its salutary 

 effects. This abstinence from food is to be continued for several days, until a 

 marked abatement or remission of the fever takes place, while at the same time 

 the patient begins to have a craving for food : but if food be given sooner than 

 this, an aggravation of the fever is the certain consequence. Hence in some 



* Snow water or ice water. It is afterwards termed aqua nive refrigerata. 

 VOL. VII. Zz 



