DELIRIUM, 
f the febrile condition is more completely eftablithed, the 
fenfations of the body become more generally eactu, he 
whole nervous fy! is in a dilturbed ftate, and the brain 
itfelf is particularly excited ; t the mind is enzroffed, 
as it were, by the internal fenfaticns, which, in this fenfitive 
ion he brain, 1 er a an 
erceived, aaa iy the oe os pm 
dice the arene dreams of the nt. 
the excitement fhill pubes ke he utters his 
dreams aloud, and his words, of courfe, are charaGiemaed by 
all the incongruity of the ideas, which they reprefent. 
When the ill higher pitch, and 
us, it } 
pees reflleffinels of the mufcles, and impatience of reftraint ; 
which conftitute frenzy, and with be a “atlies fymptoms 
mark the exiftence of phrenitis. 
The detirium, when arrived at this degree, Saat euial “ium 
dea of a eage : evidently the confequence of an i eafed 
the arteries of the brain, and therefore of 2 an in- 
ntit a and ae of the blood in that organ. 
appearances of external inflammation teach us, that the 
fenforsel funGions ee ave are increafed b 
ymptoms, and from examinations 
mptoms panee sone violent delirium, 
are generally rednefs of the countenan 
Q 
we 
-nefs has been obferved in different parts of the brain, and in 
its membranes, on which coagulable lymph has been poured 
out, adhefions area pus colleéted, and fo forth. Various 
rium, then, are connected tas more or 
id determination of blood to the bra 
- under other crcumance of 
tthe brain, which is iy era in ee character, is called a 
Jow delirium, delirium mite. ‘This is enerally eoancced by 
writers as the refult of a circulation through the brain too 
languid to fupport its fanétione. The —_ flow lefs rapidly 
than in the acute delirium ; and the patient lies on his back, 
n to queftions put to him; but he fpeedily 
cm as the difordered ftate or 
is degenerates into complete 
enfen fible - all the calls of nature, fo that 
he feels not even vile 
d feces are ed unconf{cioufly. 
de proceeds, <a tendinum, tremors, convulfions, and- 
eath enfue. 
fometimesin the cold ftage at the commencement. (Cullen.) 
The pulfe is {mall and feeble, the countenance pale and funk, 
the general ftrength much ripe and Se inefs is fome. 
re - ofture. The pai 
patient is greatly funk. Ic muft be obferved, however, that 
the brain and nervous {yftem are affe&ied, in fevers, ina w ay 
not altogether to we accounted fer, fom the ftate of the cir- 
culation ; there is often, from the commencement, a re- 
markable proftration of the animal powers 
clirium of either fpecies, when exifing in any confider- 
able degree, affords an agen able prognofis, as to th 
exiftence of a low delirium is 
t of the acute. For 
ftate, if we may ufethe cae is !efs liable to occafion ee 
diable injury to the bra i 
the fate of high nee which accompanies the cent 
delirium, 
The occurrence of delirium may be often anticipated from 
an obfervation of the other fymptcoms. When the head-ache 
is very acute, when thereis great reftleffnefs and eaiecdon 
o fleep, when the eyes are acute ly fenfible to ight, or other 
ae of a particular dctermination of bloo e head 
y be expected to follow. Huxham 
are a = ma 
has remarked, pate principle, that a ftrong pulfation 
of the. pen ae in the advanced ft of fever, al-~ 
e brain.?? 
ro 
aie to apply rather to “infani ity than to febrile delirium. 
As delirium is of two {pecies, and conneéted with two op- 
polite conditions of the fenforium, it is obvious that the re- 
a by which it muft be combated, muft be varied accord- 
ae its nature, and the concomitant a he oms. When 
t is of the acute rece and evidently conneCted with an 
increa ce ation in the brain, indication vill be to dimi- 
st 
glaffes, to ihe temples or neck; by 
reducing its temperature, by wathin ng with cold w 
water and vin oe or ees applying a lieing platter over 
And there is, at the fam 
aving the 
operations may be a 
general fever. Fienee the general affulion of cold water, the 
ufe of the fhower-bath, wafhing ‘the — furface ey 
means ofa {ponge, is often extremely efficacious in removi 
delirium ame time, enetal anapilegilbe 
regimen, the free ufe of diluent drinks, laxative medicines, 
and cool air, fhould b ined; a urce of irrita~ 
fuch as {trong light, noifes, converfation of 
vifitors, motion or exertion of the body, &c., fhould be ftu- 
dioufly avoided. In this ftate of excitement of the brain 
_ nervous fyftem, circumftances coe ordinarily have little 
o influence, irritate to a pernicious 
ft. ° 
SE es 
other irritations diftant fr rom the brain, will often 
ares a fimilar beneficial effea. 
In the low rae oe in fevers with great debility, 
where — heat of t kin is notincreafed, and there are no 
marks of active determination to the head, a different plan of 
treatment is requi h lent mut be fupported by 
the fre ape che a of cordial medicines, of wh 
wine is Sertigps the bef. Where there is much watching 
and 
