372 FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
the safe conduct through the lowering effécts of the complaint ; and 
secondly, to ward off the fatal results which are likely to be occa- 
sioned by the local’ complications in the brain, lungs, or bowels. 
It must be remembered that the disease is an effort of nature to 
get rid of a poison; and, therefore, 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 ; and, as far as possible, these organs must 
be restored to their natural state, taking care that, in trying to 
effect these desirable objects, they are not injured by the remedies 
used. Thus it is well known that aperients, and especially calo- 
mel, 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 formule being (13) or (15,) given only once or 
twice, at intervals of two or three days. After the secretions are 
restored, the next thing to be done is to look out for the complica- 
tions 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, 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 adminis- 
tered. 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. 
Diarrhea 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 
arrowroot or rice, as the sole article of diet, changing it occasionally 
for port wine and arrowroot. 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. 
The diet should be carefully attended to, little or no food being 
required on the first four or six. days beyond weak broth or gruel, 
