PREFACE.

THE following Work is wholly of a practical nature: its object is to ascertain the real phenomena of Fever, and the most safe and effectual treatment of the disease. It was found impossible to include in this volume some researches of a statistical nature which it was at first intended to incorporate in the work.

On looking over the account which has been given of the phenomena, I find that, by an oversight, I have omitted to make any mention of the peculiar odour which belongs to a feverpatient. It is so characteristic that a person, familiar with the disease, might in many cases be able to pronounce, merely from the odour of the effluvia that arises from the body, whether the disease were fever.

I cannot allow this work to go forth to the world, without expressing my obligation to Dr. DILL, for the great assistance he has af forded me in the collection and arrangement

of the cases which illustrate the symptoms and the pathology, and in the construction of the tables. And I am happy to avail myself of this occasion to bear my testimony to the excellent history which is drawn up of every case admitted into the house; to the completeness of the record which is kept of the morbid appearances on inspection; to the care which is taken of the sick, in the absence of the physicians; and to the able and zealous manner in which, as the resident Medical officer of the Fever Hospital, he performs the arduous duties of his office.

S. S.

36, New Broad Street,

Dec. 1829.

DEDICATION,

PREFACE,

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Further Investigation of Fever necessary,

Facilities afforded by the Fever Hospital for prosecuting the

Study,

Ancient Doctrines relative to the Nature and Seat of Fever,

Hippocrates, Galen, Sydenham,

Modern Doctrines relative to the Nature and Seat of Fever,

Cullen, Brown, Stoker, Burne, Clanny, Clutterbuck, Broussais,

Errors common to all these Theorists,

Questions to be solved before Fever can be understood,

Precise object of Investigation,

Proper mode of conducting it,

CHAPTER II.

Varieties of Fever,

Common Phenomena,

Importance of analysing the Assemblage of the Symptoms, in

order to ascertain the Common Phenomena,

Results of the Analysis,

Organs always diseased in Fever,

Functions always deranged in Fever,

Fever not Inflammation,

Distinction between Fever and Inflammation,

Common Phenomena of Fever exemplified in Plague,

in Yellow Fever,

Fever of Great Britain,

in the Varieties of

Different Varieties produced by different Intensities,

Received Classification and Nomenclature defective,

What is really meant by Genera and Species of Fever,

Page.

82

83

Indications afforded of Disease in the Nervous, Circulating, Se-

creting, and Excreting Systems,

93

Progress of Disease consists in progressive Increase in the De-

rangement of these Functions,

97

On what the Transition of Synochus Mitior into Synochus Gravior

depends,

Classification according to the different Organs in which the

several Affections have their Seat,

Synochus Gravior with Cerebral Affection,

Subacute Cerebral Affection,

Acute Cerebral Affection,

Cases illustrating Synochus Mitior,

-

Cases illustrating Synochus Gravior with Subacute Cerebral

Affection,

126

Cases illustrating Synochus Gravior with Acute Cerebral Af-

fection,

128

Typhus Gravior, -

In what it really consists,

Dangerous nature of the Error that it consists in Debility,

CHAPTER V.

Events which occasionally occur in Fever, but which form no

essential part of it,

185

Preternatural Sensibility over the external Surface of the Body;

Excoriation and Sloughing; Erysipelas; Inflammation, &c. of the

Glands; peculiar Affection of the Joints,

185

CHAPTER VI.

Of the Pathology of Fever,

188

Importance of connecting the Symptoms with the States of the

Organs,

188

Pathology of Fever comprehends the Morbid Changes that take

place in the Solids and Fluids of the Body,

I. GENERAL PATHOLOGY OF THE SOLIDS,

I. Cases illustrating the Morbid Changes which take place within

the Head, or Cerebral Cases,

1. Vascularity of Brain, Spinal Cord, and Membranes, with

Gelatinous or slight Serous Effusion,

2. Vascularity of Brain, Membranes, &c. with Effusion of

Coagulable Lymph and Formation of Pus,

3. Vascularity of Brain, Membranes, &c. with copious

Serous Effusion,

4. Vascularity, &c. with Preternatural Firmnes of Brain,

230

5. Vascularity, &c. with softening of Brain,

236

General Results established by preceding Cases,

242