The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-06-01
Spotted Fever


A malignant disease, which is known
BY this name, has visited certain local.
ties in Indiana, and has been attended
with a fatality which, in proportions 70
the number of victims seized, has only
been equalled during the first visitation
of Cholera scourge in this country II
is called. also. N some places, Cere5ro
SDiaaI -AeHe,gests, formidable term,
which means an affection OF membranes
OF the brain and spinal cord. In other
localities it is termed Congestion of the
Brain malignant Typhus, dc. A
correspondent Of the louisville Ky J
Democrat states that be believes il 70 be
simply more than ordinarily malignant
tvpe of the old malarious disease, which
Is known in the South and West under
the name of '.Congestive Chills-" This
correspondent remarks:
In nv opinion. the notifications and
rapid fatality which attend this new
phase of the old complaint, when not
met By prompt and jadicious resistance,
arise from q peculiar tendency of con
gestion of the sources Of vitality in the
the human organisIn-the brain and its
appendages.
/ offer this declaration with a lively
with profound conviction of its truth,
and confidently submit it to the test of
practical application No doubt others
have formed this opinion. and the few ca
ses of successful termination have oc-
Cured where a rational and vigorous
mode Of treatment has been adopted,
founded upon this view.
MEANS OF FERMENTATION
In localities where the disease has ap
peared, every inhabitant should adopt at
once means to promote vigorous health,
so that if the enemy approaches the citldal
he will find it too well fortified for admis-
sion. Fatigue, intemperance in eating
and drinking, prolonged exposure in
chilly atmosphere, irregular living and
night air, are all invitations TO the attack.
If / were sole owner of life insurance
company would take risks freely in in
fected neighborhoods, if the above
causes Of diseases are Seduluosly avoided,
and if a teaspoonful Of the following
tonic be taken:
Peruvian bark, one ounce;
Callumbo root, one ounce:
Turkey Rhubarb, one ounce:
Put in a quart of pure whisky, and use
as above directed.
THE CURATIVE TREATMENT,
to be successful, must be adopted at the
very onset of the disease. 1t has few
premonitory symptoms, sometimes none
that are recognized by any other than a
medical observer, but when recognized,
then is the accepted time. Headache,
cold extremities, and nausea, generally
herald the approach of the attack. When
il proceeds to mental confusion, delirium
or slight mania. the peril becomes eX-
IRENE, The enemy must be met at the
threshold. Put the patients limbs, up
to the knees in water. made as hot as can
be borne 1ithout scalding, with plenty of
mustard stirred into it. Surround him
with hot bricks. bottles filled with hot
water. an abundance of blankets, and
give him to drink freely of warm toddy,
in which may be dropped little cam
phor and laudanum, if severe nausea
supervenes. Apply a strong mustard
pOultice, spread on narrow strip the
entire length of the spine. Apply mus
tard, or some powerful liniment, over
the region of the stomach. If the
slightest brain SYMPTOMS are present, pour
cold water on the head. and send for a
physician, who will be willing to cup or
leech freely from the temples or nape OF
tue neck, Nhiie pursuing seemingly lne
contradictory system of high stimulation.
Complications sometimes arise vile e
the vital powers are falling under the
depressing Influences of malarious poi
sons, while at the same time some organ
which is essential to life, is becoming
rapidly disorganized from the effects OF
congestion, calls loudly for topical relief
Local depletion and general stimulation
are then applicable. Ifthese means pro
duce reaction, the period for the eNhibi
ton of anti -periolics and other remidie.
arrives. Quinine and opium are now
the sheet anchors The administration
of such remedies, however, is essential
the province Of the physician, and ainpl,
time must have elapsed to secure hi
presence.
The disease sometimes destroys lifi
in q few hours if allowed to continue un
checked. In the country where medi
cal attendance can not be had promptly
it is well to know what to do in the Iini
ted time Of grace.