A letter to a friend, concerning the epidemic fever of April and May, 1778, in York and its neighbourhood. Containing the history of the disease, and the author's method of treatment, with a few useful hints how to prevent it / By Thomas Withers, M.D.

  • Withers, Thomas, 1750-1809.
Date:
[1778?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter to a friend, concerning the epidemic fever of April and May, 1778, in York and its neighbourhood. Containing the history of the disease, and the author's method of treatment, with a few useful hints how to prevent it / By Thomas Withers, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/38 (page 11)
    Three fpoonfuls to be taken immediately; two fpoonfuls in half an hour after; and the remain™ ing part in four or five hours if he have no ftooL But the dofe of laxative medicines muft be varied according to the patient’s ftrength and conftitution, fome requiring a large dofe, others a fmall one. A gentle laxative or two clears the bowels of their putrid load, diminifhes the fulnefs of the fyftem, prevents griping pains and uneaflnefles in the inteftinal tube, and is often of great benefit to the patient, if he have fufHcient ftrength to undergo its operation with eafe. But if he be very weak, low-fpirited, and relaxed, a purgative is not neceffary, and cannot be borne with impunity. A common glyfter will be fufficient to pro¬ cure a ftngle ftool, or the following bolus at bed-time# Lenitive ele&uary, one fcruple. Turkey rhubarb, twelve or eighteen grains# Simple fyrup, a fufHcient quantity. The glyfter or bolus is to be repeated occafionally ; but the glyfter, when it will anfwer, is preferable to the bolus in all cafes of great weaknefs, and more efpe- dally towards the latter end of the Fever. Mild fedative medicines, which are cooling and pro** mote a gentle perforation, without heating and ftimu- lating the fyftem, are very neceflary ones to be employ¬ ed in this Fever when there are inflammatory fymptoms. The following are thofe which I have chiefly prefcribed* Salt of tartar, one fcruple; Juice of lemon, half an ounce; Pure water, one ounce; Common fyrup, two fcruples; B 2 Spirituous