Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-05-12
nSpottei Fever.u

the nature and treatment of q malignant
disease, which is known by the above
name, in some sections of this and the ad :
joining States. 1t has thus far been at.
tended with fatality which in proportion
to the number of victims seized, has only
been equaled during the first visitations of
the cholera sconrgel to this country. A
we'll founded terror and gloom pervades
the communities in which this formidable
plague has made it's advent, especially in
the Wabash and Green river valleys,
where it has proved almost uniformly ia
tai. / have selected your journal, Messrs.
Editors, as a medium for giving publicity
to few plain. practical views in regard to
this disease, dissertation in medical pc;
riodIcal (which is the tiiost proper place
for regular thesis) would not serve my
as possible among the people, knowl.
edge Of the means which | conscientiously
believe will rob this Hitherto frightful mall
adv of its terrors.
Much difference Of opinion prevails
among professionals in regard to what in
melical parlance is called the diagnosis"
of this disease. The want of success in
its management is no doubt to be attribu.
ted to this diversity of opinion. 1t is CALI
ed in some places ''cereJro spinal .Msnenge.
u.s." formidable term, which means all
affection of the membranes of the brain
and spinal cord. Spotted Fever Con.
gestion of the brain, Malignant Ty phus,
DC, are among the appellations it has re-
ceived. according to the peculiar views of
practitioners.
/ hope l may not incur the charge of a
violation of any rules Of medical ethics,
or of offensive dogmatism, in the brief
declaration that the disease in question is
simply more than ordinarily malignant
type of the old malarious disease well
known in the South and West under the
uame Of "Congestire MiHs."
In my opinion. the notifications and
rapid fatality which attend this new phase
of the old complaint, when not met by
prompt and judicious resistance. arise
from peculiar tendency of congestion Of
the source Of vitality in the human organ
ism-the brain and its appendages.
offer this declaration with a lively
consciousness of my own faIlibility, but
with profound conviction of its truth,
anil confidently submit it to the test OF
practical application. No doubt others
have formed this opinion, and the few
cases of successful termination have occur
rcd where rational and vigorous mode
of treatment has been adopted. founded
upon this view.
am already OCCUPYING too much space.
and will at once speak of the means OF
PREVENTION.
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 citadel
he will find it too well fortified for admis-
sion. Fatigue, intemperan ce in eating
and drinking. prolonged exposures 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. II the above causes
of disease are sedulously avoided, and If a
tablespoonful Of the following tcnic be Ia
ken daily:
Peruvian bark, one ounce;
Callumbo root, one ounce;
Turkey Rheubarb, one ounce;
Put in quart OF pure whisky, and use
as above disected. The r
CURATIVE TREATMENT,
to be successful must be adopted at the
very outset of the disease. 1t has few pre-
monitory symptoms, sometimes none that
are recognized by any other than a medi-
cal observer, but when recognized, then is
the accepted time Headache. cold ex.
tremities. and nausea, generally herald the
approach Of the attack When it proceeds
| to mental confusion, delirium, or slighI
mania. the peril becomes extreme. The
enemy must be net at the threshold. Put
the patients limbs, up to the knees, In
water, made as hot as can be borne with
! GU. co. sca!ding, with plenty of mustard stir.
red 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 camphor and laudanum, If severe
nausea supervcnes. Apply strong mus
tard poultice, spread on q narrow strip
the entire length Of the spine. Apply mus
tard. or some powerful liniment. over The
region Of the stomach. If the slightes
brain symptoms are present. pour cold wa
ter on the head, and send for physician
who will be willing TO cup or leech frcel,
from the temples and nape Of the neck
while pursuing seemingly the contradicto
ry systcm of high stimulation. Compli
cations sometimes arise where the vita
powers are failing under the depressing in
fuences Of malarious poisons, while At th
same time some organ, which is essentia
to life, which is becoming rapidly disor
ganized from the effects of CONGESTION. call
loudly for topical relief. Local depletion
and general stimulation are. then applica
BILE. II these means produce reaction. tn
period for the exhibition of anti ti-periodict
I, and other remedies arrives. Quinine an
opium are now the sheet anchors. Th
administration Of such remedies. however
is essentially the province of the physician
and ample time must have elapsed to Sc
cure bis presence. q - -
!. The disease sometimes destroys life il
few hours il allowed to continue IN
checked In the country where medics