A general state of the Whitehaven Dispensary, : for the year 1804.

  • Whitehaven Dispensary (Whitehaven, England)
Date:
[1805]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A general state of the Whitehaven Dispensary, : for the year 1804. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1/14
    * For the Year 1804. (Printed by John Ware, in King Jlrccl% Whitehaven.) ■ iwreiaaOOSSaaawm THE Anniversary Meeting of the preceding year afforded a moft fattsfaClory opportunity of attefting the falubrity of this fituation. The influence of the ge- neral and fpecific epidemics, which prevailed in the winter and fpring, had gradually fubfided, and it did not appear probable that any contingent circumftance would excite m apprehenfion of their immediate powerful recurrence. In populous and confined diftriCts, where unreftrifted communication prevails, and where little attention is paid to the cleanlinefs and ventilation of the houfes, and articles of furniture or apparel, eeble and fallacious is the hope of freedom from the danger of infettious difeafe. In. proof of this affertion, with concern do we notice, that the fever, which has fo frequently ifHiifled this country, appeared a few days after that meeting. A boy, juft recovered from the difeafe, returned to his labour, at a manufactory, in his tow’n, and though perfectly free from complaint, the infection was conveyed from aim, or rather his clothing, to a child, in whom the fymptoms were peculiarly favour- able. This, however, was, bv no means, a teft of the mild nature of the contagion, is not only the whole family fucceflively fuffered the difeafe, but every relation or friend, who had any connection with it. In confequence of this imprudence, the fever was :ommunicated to four different fituations, and not lefs than fourteen perfons were its DbjeCts, in the fpace of two months; all of whom very fortunately recovered. An extenfive and populous neighbourhood was preferved from the contagion by the precaution of fuppreffing the ufual intercouife, and that which the chief Agent of Lord Lowthfr moit judicn ufly employed, viz. the: liberal application of fielh prepared abite *wujh to the houfes. The Angular circumttarces of this fever, and which,, in a few cafes, proved its ma- lignancy, u'ere an extreme degree of languor, and a remarkably putrid tendency. Early in the difeafe, the patient became unequal to admit the lea.ll aCtive exertion ; the fkiix was covered with fmall florid, and fometimes petechial eruptions, which c ntinued till the completion of the crifis. A thick, black, and offenfive film lined the whole furface of the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat. Infenflbiliiy to the ufual fources of irritatipn, and incoherent, or frantic delirium, prevailed at the famq 'ime. j .Vyith regaid 0 the tieatrrent, vegetaoie and mineral tonics were highly beneficial. The expediency of aiibeial ufc of wine was indicated from the firfj;,attack of the dtieafe, and