Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-17

An Eminent English Physician on 1t
Treatment.

Treatment.
Tho late Sir William Gull stood at
the head Of the medical profession in
England, and the following list of un-
technical directions for the treatment of
typhoid fever patients by those having
them in charge Is well worth being read
and remembered. 1t should be cut out
and kept in every household. The con
tribution is clipped from an English
paper.
SIR: The prevalence of typhoid fever
and the interest which is attached to all
matters concerning its treatment induces
me to send you the endorsed interesting
memorandum from the late Sir William
Gull. NJ, ID, given TO Inc two years after he
was in attendance on the Prince of Wales
during his illness in 1872.
1t has been suggested that its publication
may prove useful, which must be my ex-
cuse for troubling you.
Your obeaent servant,
ARTHUR ELLIS, Major-General.
Marlborough House. Pall-mall, S. W.,
Nov. q.
|. Typhoid fever is disease which runs
more or less definite course. 1t cannot
be stopped or cured by medicines.
II. The chief thing to be done at the
outset of an attack is to send the patient
to bed, so as To save strength from the be-
ginning.
III. No strong purgative medicines are
desirable.
Nv. As the fever develops, and the
strength grows less, light food should be
gwen at short Intervals. e., water, toast
water, harleywater, milk and water, light
bruths (not made too strong or too gelatin
ous)
V. If there be restlessness or much agi-
tntion of the nerves, wine (port, sherry or
claret) or brandy in moderate doses at
short intervals. This must be directed
medically, but in general it may be said
that the amount required is that which in
duces repose and sleep.
vi. The bowels may be left to them
selves. II unmoved for "a OF 80 hours a
lavement Of warm water may be neces-
sary, but this will be directed medically.
VII. The resbiessness or wakefulness in
fever is best remedied by the careful Civ
ing of wine or spirit with the food, or in
water. Sedativcs such as opium are mad
missible-mostly injurious.
L VIII. The bedroom to be kept at tenn
perature of &c to 6lo.
IN. Great care necessary to keep the bed
clean and sweet. This most easily done
by having SECOND bed III the room, to
which patient can be removed for two t,r
three hours daily, whilst the other is thor
oughly aired, and the linen changed
y. All fatigue to be sedulously avoided.
No visitors admitted, and no other person
but nurse and one attendant to help her.
Al. Patients room never to be left IN
attended for moment as in the delirium
of fever patient might jump from bed and
injure himself.
MI. As to medicines and the treatment
| of complications, the immediate medical
| attendant must be responsible
XIII, As il is probable that the dis
charges from the bowels in typhoid fever
may be the source of contagion, it is desir-
able that before being thrown down the
closet they should be largely mixed with
Gondy's fluid or some other disinfectant.
On the same principle, the strictest cleanli-
ness must be observed in the sick-room,
| XIV. There is no reason to believe that
| typhoid fever is contagious from person to
| person in the ordinary way. The largest
experience shows that it does not extend
like an ordinary contagious disease, tc
nurses or others attending upon patients
suffering under the disease.
WILLIAM w, GULL.
December 26th, 1874.