Inflammation of the coats of the eye is very prone to occur during an attack of small-pox — in severe cases running on sometimes to the total destruction of the globe of the eye. Propagation. — Small-pox may be propagated by infection, or by inoculation. The latter is now never practiced, since it has been made to be, in law, a felony, punished by heavy fine or imprisonment. The incurrence of the disease by infection is called "taking it in the natural way." How long after the subsidence of all the symptoms of small-pox an individual may be able to communicate it "in the natural way " is not known. Probably no risk exists of its propagation from the person after all the scabs have fallen off, and the patient has had repeated baths. To prevent its propagation the thorough disinfection of all clothing and bedding should be effected as early as possible. Treatment. — For the disease itself the treatment consists more in patching its course and relieving complications than in the administration of remedies with any view to cure. Small-pox having a definite course cannot be interfered with by active treatment without fear of causing mischief: — all that need be done is to administer some mild aperient in the outset, and then some simple saline mixture if the fever run high. A mild distinct case is far better left to run its natural course. Separation of the sick from the healthy, and a plentiful sup- ply of pure air, are of greater importance, almost, than the adoption of curative measures. The sleeplessness and delirium which often attends the febrile state that accompanies matura- tion of the vesicles, are readily allayed by Dover's powder. If the entire surface of the body be sponged daily with warm water, or vinegar and water, the irritation of the skin is much allayed thereby. Inflammation of the eyes should be imme- diately attended to. A small piece of linen rag, dipped in cold water, or Goulard water, should be laid over the eyelids and be kept constantly wetted. The main treatment of mild or simple small-pox resolves itself into nursing and dieting. During the early febrile stages, diet of bread and milk is the best. Light slops, such as broths, may be allowed also, and ripe fruits, such as grapes, oranges, etc., to allay thirst. When the process of scabbing has advanced a few days, and the sec- ondary fever is on the decline, meat should be given, and if the pulse becomes feeble some wine in addition will prove MEDICINAL. 365 T)eneficial. In the severer or malignant small-pox, wine or brandy will be required earlier. The indication will be a sense of sinking expressed by the patient, and feebleness of the pulse. In the malignant or haemorrhage form wine should be given to begin with, and doses of the muriated tincture of iron.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Inflammation of the coats of the eye is very prone to occur during an attack of small-pox — in severe cases running on sometimes to the total destruction of the globe of the eye. Propagation. — Small-pox may be propagated by infection, or by inoculation. The latter is now never practiced, since it has been made to be, in law, a felony, punished by heavy fine or imprisonment. The incurrence of the disease by infection is called "taking it in the natural way." How long after the subsidence of all the symptoms of small-pox an individual may be able to communicate it "in the natural way " is not known. Probably no risk exists of its propagation from the person after all the scabs have fallen off, and the patient has had repeated baths. To prevent its propagation the thorough disinfection of all clothing and bedding should be effected as early as possible. Treatment. — For the disease itself the treatment consists more in patching its course and relieving complications than in the administration of remedies with any view to cure. Small-pox having a definite course cannot be interfered with by active treatment without fear of causing mischief: — all that need be done is to administer some mild aperient in the outset, and then some simple saline mixture if the fever run high. A mild distinct case is far better left to run its natural course. Separation of the sick from the healthy, and a plentiful supply of pure air, are of greater importance, almost, than the adoption of curative measures. The sleeplessness and delirium which often attends the febrile state that accompanies maturation of the vesicles, are readily allayed by Dover's powder. If the entire surface of the body be sponged daily with warm water, or vinegar and water, the irritation of the skin is much allayed thereby. Inflammation of the eyes should be immediately attended to. A small piece of linen rag, dipped in cold water, or Goulard water, should be laid over the eyelids and be kept constantly wetted. The main treatment of mild or simple small-pox resolves itself into nursing and dieting. During the early febrile stages, diet of bread and milk is the best. Light slops, such as broths, may be allowed also, and ripe fruits, such as grapes, oranges, etc., to allay thirst. When the process of scabbing has advanced a few days, and the secondary fever is on the decline, meat should be given, and if the pulse becomes feeble some wine in addition will prove T)eneficial. In the severer or malignant small-pox, wine or brandy will be required earlier. The indication will be a sense of sinking expressed by the patient, and feebleness of the pulse. In the malignant or haemorrhage form wine should be given to begin with, and doses of the muriated tincture of iron.

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