If the patient be costive, an ounce of tamarinds, with two ounces of stoned raisins of the sun, and a couple of figs, may be boiled in three English pints of water to a quart. This makes a very pleasant drink, and may be used at discretion. The common pectoral decoction is likewise a very proper drink in this disease. A tea-cupful of it may be taken every two hours, or oftener, if the patient’s heat and thirst be very great[65]. The above liquids must all be drank a little warm. They may be used in smaller quantities at the beginning of a fever, but more freely afterwards, in order to assist in carrying off the disease by promoting the different excretions. We have mentioned a variety of drinks, that the patient may have it in his power to chuse those which are most agreeable; and that when tired of one, he may have recourse to another. The patient’s diet must be very spare and light. All sorts of flesh-meats, and even chicken-broths, are to be avoided. He may be allowed groat-gruel, panado, or light bread boiled in water; to which may be added a few grains of common salt, and a little sugar, which will render it more palatable. He may eat roasted apples with a little sugar, toasted bread with jelly of currants, boiled prunes, &c. It will greatly relieve the patient, especially in an hot season, to have fresh air frequently let into his chamber. This, however, must always be done in such a manner as not to endanger his catching cold. It is too common in fevers to load the patient with bed-clothes, under the pretence of making him sweat, or defending him from the cold. This custom has many ill effects. It increases the heat of the body, fatigues the patient, and retards, instead of promoting, the perspiration. Sitting upright in bed, if the patient is able to bear it, will often have a good effect. It relieves the head, by retarding the motion of the blood to the brain. But this posture ought never to be continued too long: and if the patient is inclined to sweat, it will be more safe to let him lie, only raising his head a little with pillows. Sprinkling the chamber with vinegar, juice of lemon, or vinegar and rose-water, with a little nitre dissolved in it, will greatly refresh the patient. This ought to be done frequently, especially if the weather is hot. The patient’s mouth should be often washed with a mixture of water and honey, to which a little vinegar may be added, or with a decoction of figs in barley-water. His feet and hands ought likewise frequently to be bathed in lukewarm water; especially if the head is affected.