Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-11-18

perience the results have been unsatisfactory. A
large majority ofcases continue on regardless OF its
influence, passing through the different stages
Occasionally the progress of the case will De dimin-
shed, but not often arrested by its influence.
There are but few cases of camp fever which will
not treatment from the beginning.
In adopting a system of treatment we should make
ourarrapgetpents to meet the leading peculiarites
of the uaady In the early stage cool applications
70 the hesd occasional anodynes to procure sleep
ara siay pain and arrest drIrr6ea. if excessive
food nutritious but digesttble. Whenever indica-
tions warn US Of the approach of adynam!c symp-
toms, should begin active supportive treatment
|. We may often anticipate them with advantage
Diseases of camp are sed om of open, active fop
In the latter stages stiufulants and nutrments may
be administered unreservedly without regard to the
presence of fever or delirium with often the effect
of quietng the latter and reducing the former. We
need never fear the supervention OK active intam-
nation here. .E-
Nitric Actd-In camp fever, as in all others OF
q malignant type, there is constant tendency to
disorganzation of the blood, and reduction OF its
vital and plastic materials To counterfeit this ten
dency, we possess certain remedies having tmost
specific powers, as nitric acid, nitronluratIe acld
chorate of potash, and chloride of iron. As in 9TH
er fevers have adopted the nitric acid as the prn-
cipal remedy in camp fever, with the most spcour-
aging success. among other advantages, y will
often arrest or sensbly curtail the duration the
attack while in other instances, if the attack is
not arrested the type of disease is modified by It's
action, and the character of the case is rendered
mild and benignant. When the of the acid is
resorted to from the beginning Of The attack we do
not often witness supervention of those typhod
symptoms so much to be dreaded e.
To test the relative abortive powers OF quinla and
nitric acid, my assistant DR.. Brewer, instituted a
number Of very interesting experiments, in cases OF
similar character The experiments almost lnva-
rably resulted in favor of the superior powers ofthe
acid In many cases treated with quna in the begin
ning forced 20 resort to the acldln the end
There is large class of cases Of camp fever, COM
mencing with intermittent or remittent symptoms,
but ultimately proving obstinate, and finally asSu-
ming typhoid type While the nitric acid is ad-
mirabiy adapted all classes of cases. it acts very
speedyin arresting this particular form.
As an apti-periodlc in remttent forms OF. fever,
the acid is more decided and permanent in its eff
fects than qunine. The durable and permanent
tonic and Alternative influence exerted by nitric acid
the functions of nutrition and the blood making
powers, give it much additional value l have test
ed its virtues in many hundreds of cases of camp
fever and the results of the practice have been but
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 an 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 &C
ceptable and beneficial to the general system, while
lsboring under most of camp maladeS.
To control the exhauStng diarrhea Of this fever,
there is remedy efficient thai one half grain
of nitrate ofsilver and onethird OF grain Of opium
every four or six hours given in connection with
nitric acid the good effects of the remedy appear to
be increased.
Nutriment should be given to the patient with all
| gestable concentrated and nutritious form as pos
sible am satisfied that many patients die in camp
| from absolute starvation Often from unavOIdabe
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 counteracted
Irritability of stomach and vomiting are not
frequent and troublesome symptoms during the
progress of fever They tend to exhaust the patient
and aggrayate the case both by their immediate
effects and by depriving him of necessary nutri-
mcnt To correct this state Of things, have re-
sorted to combination of subnitrate of bismuth
and nitrate of silver with excellent effects in quanti
ties of five grains of bisnuth and half grain of
silver every four hours. This combination appears
to allay vomiting and pain, at the same time mprOv
ing the digestive functions
In those highly malignant cases attended with
codness of the surface insensbility very frequent
and feeble pulse, pale aud 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
astringent but after absorption changes the charac-
ter of the blood, mFartiDg to it vitality ana pastci
ty and. thus correcting the hemorrhsgic tendency.
This remedy may be resorted to with very great
advantage in those very log and typhoid forms Of
this fever even when hemorrhage is absent 1t
possesses the same happy influence here in produc-
ing change IN the character and type of the attack
that it does in malignant erysipelis 1t should be
administered in connection with free use alcoholic
stmqlants, and sufficient quantity of concentrated
nutriment in the form Of egg,nog, milk, or milk
punch, which can be readily absorbed, and convert
ed into blood to supply the loss sustained
Under this method of treatment, it is perfectly
astounding what amount of blood the system can
lose by hemorrhage and eventually recuperate-
The chloride of iron should be given in doses of
from 90 to 40 drops, every two hours.
These remarks, hastily and imperfectly arranged
liz the midst Of the Irregularities of camp life are
respectfully submitted to the Medical Profession,
with the view, than otherwise of inviting at
tention and enquiry to a subject which has scourged
our armies, and seriously retarded the success of
| our cause.