The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-09-18
COMMUNICATED.

The only apology have to make in troubling the
printer is this On looking the Gazette of Sept
H. underlined remarks relative 10 the treat
men OF the measles where medical assistance cannot
be obtained" The most Objectionable part therein
contained and to which would more particularly adj
vert in the following words-that the patient should
be kept and suffered TO in the open long as
practcabe-after that let him be kept as cool as pos
slbe. i shall not attempt TO FIX, any bounda-
res TO the ideas which these words were designed to
convey for | conceive il is the duty of Physician
alter half centuryS practice, TO have some definite
meaning attached TO his expressions. should choose
rather, to make few simple prescriptions not, how
ever, from any personal disrespect, for | have no
knowledge of his name residence.
In the commencement of the measles it is unaues-
uonably proper to abstain from femented liquors and
all those drinks which may tend hurry the circula-
ton and consequently increase the innamnatory ac-
ton There is no doubt that external heat may be
very injurious in the measles in most other nan-
matory diseases; and therefore the body should be
kept in moderate temperature during the whole course
OF the disease. The patient ought 10 be- in most cases
confined to his bed and avoid any exposure to cold or
damp air, which might repel the eruption: but i'm ia
king this precauon, he is not to into the opposite
extreme, and excite external heat either by loading
himself with bed-cotheS, by not suffering sufficient
air TO ventlate his chamber. In short h. should re-
lightly but comfortably covered and the degree Of
heat should accord with the patients feelings The
immediate application Of cold air to the body Of the
fresh air in the chamber Is necessary as is also fire.
quent change of linen, and cleanliness in the sictest
sense of the word.
That SWEATING has been generally huHtful when ex
cited by stimulating, heating and infammatorv rned
clnes-that IT has been very pemicious when excited
by much external heat; but VIXEN moderate sweating
is excited by such means tend to keep I'D gentle
perspratlon, without increasing the temperature Of the
body, 1t will be found salUary in any stage Of the
measles, where the heat is above the natural and heal
thy standard, and where the skin is hot parched and
dry. Wien attention is given TO these rules, the
sweating may be excited BY bathing or fernen-
tation Of the lower exremities by frequent drauchr
Of diuent and mucagnouS drinks and by small doses
OF some antimonial preparation. sc. II the stomach
should be oppressed with tough and viscid nherm n
gentle emetic. Mistake not an Inflammation Of the
lungs for oppression Of the stomach for in the for
mer the emetic would DO more harm than good Much
circspecton ought 10 he used in the exhibition III
opates IN tins disease, as well IL all other infam
inatoTy ones, and ought never 70 be employed when
mere Is much fever present with laLor0us bTeathnp
should putnd tendency superveue, We must then a.
oopt very different node Of treatment from what has
oeen advised for the intiamma0ry. The consequences
which generally occasion fatal termination of this
Halady and to which, therefore, attention should more
particularly be excited is an inflammation OF the lungs
Tor although person may for time. appear 70 be
well SUI In this disease wei as in the infuenz
- ssatsus Consumption and hsc.e fever shall after