Statements relative to the present prevalence of epidemic fever among the poorer classes of Glasgow : together with some suggestions, both for affording more adequate assistance to the sick, and for checking the farther progress of the contagion : in a letter addressed to the Honourable, the Lord Provost of Glasgow / by Richard Millar, M.D.

  • Millar, Richard, active 1818-1833.
Date:
1818
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Statements relative to the present prevalence of epidemic fever among the poorer classes of Glasgow : together with some suggestions, both for affording more adequate assistance to the sick, and for checking the farther progress of the contagion : in a letter addressed to the Honourable, the Lord Provost of Glasgow / by Richard Millar, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    §3 Such are the different modes of fumigation a|. present in use. They admit of indefinite repe- tition ; and for the thorough cleansing of an in- infected apartment, it is often necessary that the process be employed three or four times.—I am now to speak of the other method of destroying typhus contagion, mentioned above, that in which we endeavour to extinguish it, in consequence of dilution, or neutralization, by means of atmo- spherical air. Few directions are necessary here. We have only to admit into the infected cham- ber, and admit as freely as possible, the breath of heaven. If this be done effectually, it will unquestionably rob the contagious fomes of tion, such as the use of Vinegar, either simple, Camphorated, Am- moniated, or Aromatic, often smelled to; the smoking, snuffing, chew- ipg, of Tobacco, &c. All these I hold utterly useless , unless in so far as they may tend to promote a discharge from the mouth, a purpose for which the employment of Tobacco, or any other masticatory, must, of course, be reckoned the most efficacious.—There is, I think, some rea- son to believe, that particles of contagious matter floating in the atmos- phere, may, now and then, be entangled in the saliva, so as to pass over with it into the stomach, and in that manner prove a source of fipver. Those much occupied about the sick, therefore, should avoid svrallow^ing their spittle, neither should they stand in a stream of air that blows over their beds^These two last are the only precautions I ever observe myself;—that is, when I do not forget, as too often happens.— In going my rounds, I have not unfrequently experienced some slight degree of squeamishness; but this almost immediately wears off, on walk- ii?g out into the open air.