This disease is very infectious, often prevails epidemically, however ; and the constitution that has been once under its influence is seldom, or never liable to a second attack, especially if the first attack was a mild one. Treatment. — At the commence- ment of the disease, no animal food must be taken, the patient must be con- fined to a low spare diet, as gruel, sago, ME A 256 MEA &c., and for common drink, barley- water, acidulated with lemon-juice. The bed-room should be kept moder- ately cool, regulating the temperature thereof by the feelings, guarding against any sudden change, and especially ex- posure to cold draughts. When the attack is of a mild charac- ter, little medicine Is wanted. Perhaps the less we interfere with the efforts of nature the better. It would be ex- treme folly to deplete the system by fccthre treatment. In mild cases, na- ture, a \littU assisted, generally effects a cure. But when the symptoms are of a sterner character, active means must be used. Place the feet in warm water, in which dissolve a little of carbonate of soda, two or three times a day. Give a mild emetic, (as the Emetic Mixture, page 172.) Give also the Aperient for Children, page ax. Should the fever be very high, give the follow- ing Febrifuge Mixture ; — Subcarbonate of potash, s drachms ; purified nitre, 30 grains ; camphor mixture, 6 ozs. : mix in a strong infusion of saffron. This mixture is designed to determine the eruption to the surface. Or, the following infusion will be very effective, and it should be given as soon as possi- ble after the emetic; — saffron, two parts ; Virginia snake-root, 1 part ; infuse rapidly, or make a tea ; sweeten and give warm, as much as the stomach will bear. If the eruption is slow in appearance, or only partially appears, or recedes, give the Sudorific Powder, page 383, warm milk sweetened, or strong balm tea with a little saffron infused. A bottle of hot water or a hot brick wrapped in a cloth, saturated with vinegar and water, or a vapour bath made of the decoction of bitter herbs, will be found most efficient. When the eruption is prominent, little more medicine is required. A little of the Composition Powder, page 134. may be given occasionally. Sponge the body from the first, now and then, with warm ley water and a little carbo- nate of soda. Wash the eyes with very weak brandy and water; or with slip- pery elm bark and a solution of borax. If the cough is severe, attended with Impeded breathing, apply a mustard plaster to the chest, and repeat, If necessary ; and give the Expectorant Syrup or Tincture, page 175 ; or inhale the steam of warm water, in which 30 or 40 drops of laudanum have been in- troduced. If the head is affected, con- tinue to bathe the feet in warm water. Should there be much restlessness and pain, give the Diaphoretic Powder or Decoction, page 160. From the first attack of the measles, keep the bowels regular. A voluntary looseness indi- cates a favourable crisis ;. and, if moder- ate, it should not be checked. When it is very severe, it should be checked by some mild astringent; as, an infu- sion of raspberry leaves ; or an infusion of raspberry leaves, and a few drops of laudanum. Should the system be much debilitated, with a tendency to putrescency, the strength should be supported with cordials, beef tea, calf’s feet jelly, and an infusion of Peruvian bark in port wine.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

This disease is very infectious, often prevails epidemically, however ; and the constitution that has been once under its influence is seldom, or never liable to a second attack, especially if the first attack was a mild one. Treatment. — At the commencement of the disease, no animal food must be taken, the patient must be confined to a low spare diet, as gruel, sago, ME A MEA &c., and for common drink, barleywater, acidulated with lemon-juice. The bed-room should be kept moderately cool, regulating the temperature thereof by the feelings, guarding against any sudden change, and especially exposure to cold draughts. When the attack is of a mild character, little medicine Is wanted. Perhaps the less we interfere with the efforts of nature the better. It would be extreme folly to deplete the system by fccthre treatment. In mild cases, nature, a little assisted, generally effects a cure. But when the symptoms are of a sterner character, active means must be used. Place the feet in warm water, in which dissolve a little of carbonate of soda, two or three times a day. Give a mild emetic, (as the Emetic Mixture, page 172.) Give also the Aperient for Children, page 216. Should the fever be very high, give the following Febrifuge Mixture ; — Subcarbonate of potash, s drachms ; purified nitre, 30 grains ; camphor mixture, 6 ozs. : mix in a strong infusion of saffron. This mixture is designed to determine the eruption to the surface. Or, the following infusion will be very effective, and it should be given as soon as possible after the emetic; — saffron, two parts ; Virginia snake-root, 1 part ; infuse rapidly, or make a tea ; sweeten and give warm, as much as the stomach will bear. If the eruption is slow in appearance, or only partially appears, or recedes, give the Sudorific Powder, page 383, warm milk sweetened, or strong balm tea with a little saffron infused. A bottle of hot water or a hot brick wrapped in a cloth, saturated with vinegar and water, or a vapour bath made of the decoction of bitter herbs, will be found most efficient. When the eruption is prominent, little more medicine is required. A little of the Composition Powder, page 134. may be given occasionally. Sponge the body from the first, now and then, with warm ley water and a little carbonate of soda. Wash the eyes with very weak brandy and water; or with slippery elm bark and a solution of borax. If the cough is severe, attended with Impeded breathing, apply a mustard plaster to the chest, and repeat, If necessary ; and give the Expectorant Syrup or Tincture, page 175 ; or inhale the steam of warm water, in which 30 or 40 drops of laudanum have been introduced. If the head is affected, continue to bathe the feet in warm water. Should there be much restlessness and pain, give the Diaphoretic Powder or Decoction, page 160. From the first attack of the measles, keep the bowels regular. A voluntary looseness indicates a favourable crisis ;. and, if moderate, it should not be checked. When it is very severe, it should be checked by some mild astringent; as, an infusion of raspberry leaves ; or an infusion of raspberry leaves, and a few drops of laudanum. Should the system be much debilitated, with a tendency to putrescency, the strength should be supported with cordials, beef tea, calf’s feet jelly, and an infusion of Peruvian bark in port wine.

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