Let the patient take this every four or six hours, till he comes to himself again:
But care should be taken that a good sound sleep, is not mistaken for a stupor; for it frequently happens that a patient upon a favourable crisis will fall into a long sound deep, that terminates all his danger; if therefore the patient breathes freely, and has a moistness all over the body, together with a tolerable regular pulse, disturb him not; but let nature finish her gracious work.—This kind of sleep is materially different from the stupor, wherein the patient neither sleeps nor wakes, but is equally insensible when the eyes are open, as when they are shut.
A Violent head-ach often attends fevers, or comes spontaneously without; it generally precedes a delirium, as the irritation of the nerves is the principal cause thereof.
The first intention must be to draw the humours from the head. A compress with vinegar, in which is dropt a little spirits of wine and camphor, is of great service, and will often have the defined effect to carry it off. Warm foot-baths also is of great use; a blister may be applied, and the draught No. XXXIV. will also prove of great service.
The head-ach may proceed from many other different causes, and in the general is only a symptomatic affection; therefore particular attention should be had to the primitive seat of the disorder.—Frequently a foul stomach will occasion the head-ach, and a vomit most times prove the best application.
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The diseases in that part, are indeed very numerous; but as they have so strict a connexion amongst themselves, the classes may be considered but very few; of which some have been already taken notice of.
Every body who is liable to catch cold, is frequently apt to have a hoarseness and consequently in some degree, more or less, a sore throat. If a fever attends it, methods should be used accordingly, as is mentioned under the head of colds: with respect to the throat, use the gargle, No. XVIII. pretty frequently, and the disorder will soon go off again.
But when an ulcerated sore throat is attended with a malignant fever and inflammation, it is called a quincey; this case is alarming, and requires very careful treatment; for first we must observe, that the larynx is of a very complicate and curious structure; and secondly, it is composed of various, and delicate materials; namely, cartilages, membranes, muscles, and glands.