CAUSES.——An ardent fever may be occasioned by any thing that overheats the body, or produces plethora, as violent exercise, sleeping in the sun, drinking strong liquors, eating spiceries, a full diet, with little exercise, &c. It may likewise be occasioned by whatever obstructs the perspiration, as lying on the damp ground, drinking cold liquor when the body is hot, night-watching, or the like. SYMPTOMS.—A rigour or chilliness generally ushers in this fever, which is soon succeeded by great heat, a frequent and full pulse, pain of the head, dry skin, redness of the eyes, a florid countenance, pains in the back, loins, &c. To these succeed difficulty of breathing, sickness, with an inclination to vomit. The patient complains of great thirst, has no appetite for solid food, is restless, and his tongue generally appears black and rough. A delirium, excessive restlessness, great oppression of the breast, with laborious respiration, starting of the tendons, hiccup, cold clammy sweats, and an involuntary discharge of urine, are very dangerous symptoms. As this disease is always attended with danger, the best medical assistance ought to be procured as soon as possible. A physician may be of use at the beginning, but his skill is often of no avail afterwards. Nothing can be more unaccountable than the conduct of those who have it in their power, at the beginning of a fever, to procure the best medical assistance, yet put it off till things come to an extremity. When the disease, by delay or wrong treatment, has become incurable, and has exhausted the strength of the patient, it is in vain to hope for relief from medicine. Physicians may indeed assist Nature; but their attempts must ever prove fruitless, when she is no longer able to co-operate with their endeavours. REGIMEN.—From the symptoms of this disease, it is evident, that the blood and other humours require to be diluted; that the perspiration, urine, saliva, and all the other secretions, are in too small quantity; that the vessels are rigid, and the heat of the whole body too great: all these clearly point out the necessity of a regimen calculated to dilute the blood, correct the acrimony of the humours, allay the excessive heat, remove the spasmodic stricture of the vessels, and promote the secretions. These important purposes may be greatly promoted by drinking plentifully of diluting liquors; as water-gruel, or oatmeal-tea, clear whey, barley-water, balm-tea, apple-tea, &c. These may be sharpened with juice of orange, jelly of currants, raspberries, and such like: orange-whey is likewise an excellent cooling drink. It is made by boiling among milk and water a bitter orange sliced, till the curd separates. If no orange can be had, a lemon, a little cream of tartar, or a few spoonfuls of vinegar, will have the same effect. Two or three spoonfuls of white wine may occasionally be added to the liquor when boiling.