MEDICAL HINTS. 
179 
Acute Inflammation of the Liver. 
In this complaint there is severe pain, some fever, and frequently 
jaundice. The complaint is serious, as abscess of the liver frequently 
follows it. 
Treatment .—The patient should be put to bed, hot fomentations applied 
to the seat of pain, and the bowels well relieved. Quinine will be 
required. 
Ten grains of ipecacuanha should be given three times a day. Chloride 
of ammonia in full doses (ten grains or more three times a day) often 
does good, and can be retained when ipecacuanha cannot, but it is 
unpleasant to take, so the dose should be given in one or two ounces of 
water. The wisest course for one who has had a severe inflammation of 
the liver is to get away to a healthy climate. 
Abscess of the Liver. 
It is extremely difficult for the traveller to decide if abscess of the liver 
is present; it may be suspected if a patient, convalescent from dysentery, 
still remains feeble and ill, or if he has an irregular temperature, night 
sweats, and wasting. Sometimes a definite swelling can be made out. 
Treatment .—Chloride of ammonia may be given; the patient’s strength 
must be supported, and he should be as quickly as possible placed under 
the care of a surgeon, who will probably decide to operate. If this cannot 
be done then the patient should not be interfered with surgically, for he 
will have a better chance of recovery if the abscess is allowed to burst 
naturally than he would if the traveller attempted to operate. 
Malaria. 
The fevers from which travellers are most likely to suffer are those of 
the type known as malarial. 
Malarial fever is a disease caused by the presence of an animal parasite 
in the blood. The sufferer is usually infected through the agency of 
the mosquito, which conveys germs from diseased to healthy people; it 
is possible that infection is also conveyed by air, food and water. 
Prevention .—Observe the general rules laid down as to care of health. 
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