Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-04-06
Spotted Fever--to Physicians,

]
/ Dear Republican Several of my medical
brethren, having done me the honor to
ask my opinion and treatment of sc-caled
I spotted fever, believing las they are pleas
cd 10 express it) that would embrace the
opportunity OF examining such cases as
might occur around this section to which
could obtain access and having a de-
sire TO know something about this much
dreaded disease, it was my pleasure, as |
believe it to have been my duty, 10 solicit
on opportunity of examining a few cases
Of this fever. Accordingly, upon several
occasions, while in the city of Philadel-
phia, took occasion TO call OF some phy-
siciaus there who kindly conducted me to
such cases as occurred in their practice at
the time, and am therefore enabled TO
make the following suggestions. Opinions
are so conflicting and theories SO numer-
Gus, that it is scarcely possible ut this
time, with the limited observations | have
bad, to give any thing that will be ofmuch
account towards relieving the public mind
10 reference to this subject, and ! will
therefore give my own ideas with reference
TO the malGly
Such as have access to the standard
medical works will find Spoa:i Fcrar des-
CribcJ in any old practice Of medicine rs
IyphuS Fsrsr, which fever has received SO
many difiereut appellatous that it is not
at all surprising that for from thirty to
fifty years il was called spotted" from
the pctcchla, or rosc-colored and purple
spots found on the patient. But the SPOT
ted fever, as We find it to day, is essential
ly different from that which is described
10y old authors from the fact that it runs
its course much more rapidly, and conse-
quently is more fatal, because the time is
too short for medicine to exert its curative
intiuences-the disease frequently termi-
mates in twelve hours after the attack, and
in that short space Of time we appear to
have all thestrOngly marked symptoms of
Iyphus concentrated, seethlng and boiling
through the system and destroying lie
with rapidity that is perfectly alarming.
That which takes Iyphu proper two or
three weeks to accomplish, is the work of
a day in Spotted fever.
The disease, thank God, is sporadic, not
epidemic at least, from all can leran it
has not manifested itself in the latter way
in The city Of Philadelphia, and other To-
calities.
Of the pathology Of the disease very
little appears to be known, consequently
much painful uncertainty exists, and com
pels those who arc so unfortunate as to
meet 1t to treat its symptoms (exccpting
those, perhaps, who claim 10 have theories
of their own, and treat their cases ACCORDING
Iy J, and fear there are already moro the
ories than facts developed, and none bas-
ed upon scientific pathological facts; and
until we have the latter there can &c no
certainty that we are right or wrong
Some one in cropping along may stumble
upon the right cause, and by doing so
may treat the disease successfully, but
at tho same time he may be una
BILE TO demonstrate in satisfactory wav,
what Is right, because they at present can
only guess Ito use a popular homilyl at
facts. From what ! can learn think the
only reasonable theory is that the disease
IL caused by poison eliminated into the
blood, similar to the poisonous bite Of
serpent, but what that poison is or thena-
ture OF It, frankly confess, don't know.
After briefly describing the disease as il
came under my observation, | will make
bold 20 suggest the treatment which [
would adopt, hoping that the professional
reader will receive the suggestions with
the kindness in which they are made, and
oeHeve me, that | make them in no spirit
OF vanity or intention to instruct them.
lor whatever suggestion | shall make, |
VIII give my reason for the faith that is in
me. lhis is an important and ALARMING
suycct, and should enlist the feeling at9
lentlon OF every friend of human;tv
ne cause OF the disease is unknown, but
ssald by German physicians, in Europe, TO
be caused by eating diseased pork.
SYMPTOMS: The unfortunate sufferer NAV
rise IN the morning in apparentgood spirits
and health enjoy hearty breakfast at
some hour in tho forenoon, or during the
lay, feel pain in tho knee, elbow or back,
~ sickness OF tho stomach. which