The Successful Treatment of Scarlet Fever; Also Observations on the Pathology & Treatment of Crowing Inspiration in Infants

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. REMEDIAL AGENTS IN SCARLET FEVER t EMETICS, PURGATIVES, TONICS, RESTORATIVES, SEDATIVES, CAUSTICS. Emetics.--The first remedy that I invariably administer in scarlet fever to children is an emetic, provided the child has not previously been sick. This is composed of the powder of the root of ipecacuanha ten grains, sulphate of zinc ten grains, with a drachm of syrup, and an ounce of water, for a child of six years old, followed by as much warm water as the child can be made to drink. It will be observed, / that however difficult the power of swallowing may j be, however extensive the internal and external swelling, whatever amount of suffusion of the eyes, or injection of the face, all these symptoms will be diminished after vomiting is produced: the child ibreathes better, swallows with less difficulty, and a state of tranquillity succeeds to one of restlessness. vjThe skin immediately becomes moister; the kidneys fact freely, and the bowels are generally relieved. I The child will frequently, on the subsidence of the emetic action, complain of being hungry, and ask for something to eat; but this desire should on no account be gratified, unless with a small quantity of the simplest article of food, such as bread, or biscuit. The more severe the form of the disease, the greater will be the relief afforded by this remedy, which is as applicable to malignant scarlet fever as to the milder varieties. No fear need be entertained of the continuance of vomiting, from the use of this form of emetic: the same, however, cannot be said of another which is a favorite with many, namely, tartar emetic. The action of this is much more uncertain, more violent, and more depressing in its after effects; therefore, I never use it. It may sometimes happen that ...