Fever, Influenza.--This is a slow, smouldering kind of fever. For
treatment, pack the feet and legs in hot fomentation over the knees,
and apply cold cloths over the stomach and heart, taking care in
applying the cold if the patient is weak. In such a case only
moderately cool cloths should be used. Carry out these two processes
effectively, and a cure should soon result. Give light food--milk and
water, and milk diet generally. Give small quantities frequently rather
than a good deal at once.
Fever, Intermitting.--For this the treatment may be given as in gastric
fever, and, in addition, the stomach and bowels should be carefully
lathered over with soap lather (_see_ Lather). This has a wonderfully
soothing effect. It may be spread with the hand over the skin, and
fresh supplies gently rubbed on until much of the fever is removed.
Some five minutes' lathering at a time is enough--this may be done
several times a-day. Carefully dry after it, and let the patient rest.
It will be well to anticipate such attacks by softening the skin when
it shows a tendency to be hard and dry. A gentle rubbing now and again
with fine lather and good olive oil will secure this. We say lather and
oil because, when there is no fever heat, lather by itself is too
cooling, but when mixed with a little oil the mixture is comforting
rather than chilling, and softens nicely.
Fever, Rheumatic.--This results from severe damp chills, usually
following exhaustion from some cause. Its best treatment at an early
stage is by heat applied to the spinal nerves. If the trouble be
chiefly in the legs, treat the lower back; if in the arms, treat the
upper back. The heat is best applied by a large BRAN POULTICE (_see_).
A teaspoonful of tincture of Guaiacum may be given before each
poulticing, which may be done twice a day for an hour. We have known an
illness that threatened to last six weeks cured in one week by this
means. Give also teaspoonfuls of hot water from time to time.
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