These considerations ought not to make us desponding, or inert, even under the worst circumstances, as long as the case is not absolutely desperate; but they ought to impress deeply and indelibly upon the mind of the practitioner who has the first charge of a fever patient, that the disease must be conquered in the very first days, or it will conquer, and that there are no means by which that conquest can be rendered sure or probable, but that afforded by the lancet. Very much the same observations apply to the exhibition of opiates. There is a condition of the system in which an opiate puts a stop to a state of exhausting agitation and restlessness; procures tranquil sleep; lessens delirium, and operates most favourably on all the symptoms. This may be when the skin is cool and perspiring; the tongue moist, or not very dry; the delirium low, and the pulse and the patient weak. No kind of opiate in any form in which it can be administered ever proves in the least degree beneficial whenever the skin is very hot, the tongue very dry, or the general motions and actions of the patient are violent. Now and then the powers of life rally unexpectedly and wonderfully: they throw off a load which appeared to have oppressed them totally and for ever. It is therefore the duty of the medical attendant to be always at hand until the termination even of the most desperate case, and carefully to watch every change that takes place; for changes may suddenly occur which may give him a clue to bring in invaluable assistance. He may be suddenly called upon to give a stimulus; he may be suddenly called upon to check re-excited and inordinate action. To describe in words the countless variety of circumstances under which it may be necessary that he should take very unexpected and decided measures, and not a few of which may demand of him clear discernment and nice discrimination, is quite impossible: he can acquire the power of performing the most difficult and arduous duty he has undertaken only by studying the disease, and by rendering himself perfectly familiar with the principle of its treatment.