Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-11-19

in this, given in the early stages. But in my ex-
perience the results have been unsatisfactory. A
large majority Of cases continue regardless OF its
influence, passing through the different stages
Occasionally the progress Of the case will be dmln-
ished, but not often arrested by its influence -,
There are but few cases of camp fever when VIII
not justify supportive treatment from the beginning.
In adopting a system of treatment, we should make
our arrangements to meet the leading pecullarites
Of the maady. In the early stage, cool applications
to the head, occasional anodynes to procure sleep
and allay pain and arrest diarrhoea, if excessive
Food nutritious, but digestible. whenever lhoica-
| tions warn us of the approach Of adynam!c symp-
TOMS We should begin active supportive treatment.
! We may often anticipate them with advantage
Diseases of camp are seldom of an open. active FORM
| In the>atter stages stmnlants and nutrments may
be administered unreservedly without regard to the
presence of fever or derium with often the effect
of quieting the latter and reducing the former we
need never fear the supervention OF active inliam
nation here.
| Nitric Acid-In camp fever, as in all others OF
| a malignant type there is constant tendency TO
DISCRIMINATION of the blood, and reduction OF lis
vital and plastic materials To counteract this ten
dency, we possess certain remedies having almost
| specific powers, nitric acid, nitromuratlc aco'
chlorate of potash and chloride of iron AS IN oth-
er fevers, have adopted the nitric acid as the prln-
cipal remedy in camp fever, with the most encour-
aging success. Among other advantages, it will
often arrest or sensibly curtail the duration OF the
attack while in other instances, if the attack IS
not arrested the type Of disease is modified by Its
action, and the character of the case is rendered
mild and benignant. When the use of the acid is
resorted to from the eginnng of the attack, we DO
| not often witness supervention OF those typAoW
| symptoms so much to be dreaded.
TO test the relative abortive powers Of quinia and
| nitric acid, my assistant, DR.. Brewer, instituted
number of very interesting experiments IN cases OF
| a similar character. The experiments almost lnva-
rably resulted in favor of the superior powers ofthe
acid In many cases. treated wthquinia in the begun
ning we were forced 20 resort to the acid in the end
There is large class of cases of camp fever, com
mencing with intermittent or remittent symptoms
but ultimately proving obstinate, and finally assn
ming typhoid type. While the nitric acid is ad-
mirbly adapted to all classes of cases. it acts very
| speedily IN arreSting this particular form.
AS an anti periodic in remittent forms of fever,
the acid is more decided and permanent in its ef-
fects than quinine The durable and permanent
tonic and alternative influence exerted by nitric acid
on the functions of nutrition and the blood making
| powers give it much additional value. have test
ed its virtues in many hundreds of cases of camp
fever and the results Of the practice have been but
a comparatively slight mortality. The use of the
remedy should be commenced early, in doses vary
ing from five to ten drops sufficiently diluted with
water to render it grateful, as acid drink, and
given every four hours.
would here remark, that there is train of scor-
hutc influences running through the history and
progress of all camp Affections which render acids
peculiarly grateful not only to the palate, but ac
ceptable and beneficial to the general SYSTEM while
lahoring under most of camp maladicS.
10 control the eXhaustiEg dlarrhea of this fever,
there is no remedy more efficient thai, half grain
of nitrate ofsilver and oncthird OF grain of opium
every four six hours {; q ven in connection with
nitric acid the good effects Of the remedy appear to
be increased.
Nutrimcnt should be given to the patient with all
the regularity Of medical treatment and in as di-
gestable concentrated and nutritious form as pos
sible am satisfied that many patients die in camp
from absolute starvation Often from unavoidable
circumstances, sometimes, from neglect food is pre-
sented to them which diseased stomach can Meth
er bear, digest nor convert into nutriment With
out constant attention to this matter, the increasing
tendency to waste of tissue cannot be cOuneracted.
Irrtability of stomach and vomiting are not un-
frequent and troublesome symptoms during the
progress offever. They tend to exhaust the patient
and aggravate the both by their immediate
effects and by deprivng him of necessary nutri-
ment To correct this state of things, have re-
sorted to combination of snbntrate of bismuth
and nitrate of silver with excellent effects, in quaint
ties of five grains of bismnth and half grain OF
silver every four hours This combination appears
ing the digestive functions.
In those highly malignant cases attended with
colness of the surface insensibiity. very frequent
and feeble pulse pale and dry tongue, with hem
orrhage from the mucus surfaces, | know of no
remedy equal in value and efficiency to the chloride
of iron 1t not only acts Immediately on the sur.
face from whence the blood is escaping as powerful
aSringent but after absorption changes the charac
ter of the blood imparting to ii vitality and plastic
ty, and thus correcting the hemorrhagic tendency
This remedy may be resorted to with very grea,
advantage in those very low and typhoid forms Of
this fever, even when hemorrhage is absent II
possesses the same happy influence here in produc
ing change in the character and type of the attack
that it does in malignant erysipcs. 1t should be
administered in connection with free of alcoholic
stimulants, and sufficient quantity of concentrated
nutrin,ent in the form of egsssnos, milk, milk
punch, which can be readily absorbed, and convert
cd into blood to supply the loss sustained.
Under this method of treatment it is perfect,
astounding what amount of blood the system car
lose by hemorrhage and eventually recuperatc
The chloride of iron should be given in doses o
from 20 to 40 drops, every two hours.
These remarks, hastily and imperfectly arranged
in the midst Of the Irregularities of camp life ar
respectfully submitted to the Medical Profession
with the view, more than otherwise, of inviting at
tention and enquiry to subject which has scourge
our armies, and seriously retarded the success O
our cause.
E,r