314 FEVERS AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



common cold or influenza, inflammation of the lungs, and diar- 

 rhoea. The first of these runs a rapid course, and is ushered in by 

 peculiar changes in the temper, which will be described under the 

 head of hydrophobia. Cold and influenza cause no great prostration 

 of strength. The former comes on after exposure to the weather, 

 while the latter is sure to be prevalent at the time. Inflammation 

 of the lungs must be studied to be known ; simple diarrhoea has no 

 fever attending upon it. 



The treatment of distemper is twofold'; care first, being directed 

 to the safe conduct through the lowering effects of the complaint, 

 and second to the warding off of the fatal results which are iikeiy 

 to be occasioned by the local complications in the brain, lungs, or 

 bowels. It must be remembered that the disease is an effort of 

 nature to rid itself of a poison ; and, consequently, the powers of 

 the system must be aided throughout, or they will be incompetent 

 to their task. One great means of carrying off this poison, is to 

 be looked for in the bowels and kidneys. These organs must be 

 restored as far as possible to their natural condition, care being ex- 

 ercised that they are not injured by the remedies used. It is well 

 known, for instance, that aparienta, 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 caution. The best 

 formulae is, (13) or (15) given only once or twice, at intervals of two 

 or three days. After the secretions are restored, the next thing 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. A sston phced on the back of the neck, 

 covering 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) be 

 administered. Diarrhoea must be at once checked by one of the 



