Some observations on the present epidemic catarrhal fever, or influenza: chiefly in relation to its mode of treatment. To which are subjoined historical abstracts concerning the catarrhal fevers of 1762, 1775, and 1782 / By Richard Pearson.

  • Pearson, Richard, 1765-1836.
Date:
1803
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Some observations on the present epidemic catarrhal fever, or influenza: chiefly in relation to its mode of treatment. To which are subjoined historical abstracts concerning the catarrhal fevers of 1762, 1775, and 1782 / By Richard Pearson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    which accompanies such a sweating process^ ag¬ gravates the fever^ and the forced diaphoresis is constantly followed by increased languor and dejection of spirits. The recovery, under such, circumstances, is extremely tedious. Paying less attention, therefore, to the catarrhal symptoms than to the general febrile affection, (except in those few cases where peripneumonic inflammation occurs) we should avoid all accumu¬ lation of external heat; and after the 3d day, di¬ rect the patient to sit out of bed, allowing him cool drinks, and taking care to have the room kept cool^ and properly ventilated^ especially w^hen the tem¬ perature of the atmosphere exceeds 45° of Pah- renheit’s thermometer.* * As the weather grew warmer, the symptoms of the fluenza in 1782, were more severe, and the recoveries more tedious : And the inhabitants of low and close situations had the disease worse than the inhabitants of high ones. In some hospital-patients, it wore a malignant aspect. See the account drawn up by Dr. Gray, from various correspondents, and inserted in the ist Volume cf the Medical Communications, In like manner, it is recorded by Sir G. Baker (on the authority of Dr. Petrie) that in the neighbourhood of Lincoln the epidemic of 1762 raged with unusual violence in low situations; that is, in places where a due ventilation was wanting. Baker de Catarrl^o epidemico.