This, as we have already observed, is a fever compounded of those that characterise the first stage of synocha, or inflammatory fever, with which it commences, and of those which constitute the middle and last stages of typhus or putrid fever, into which it be comes converted by a sudden and often times a very unexpected change. It is a common fever in the large manufactur ing towns of this country ; and great care is necessary, on its first appearance, that it be not mistaken for, and consequently treated as, an inflammatory attack, by ve nesection, and a strict debilitating plan. This is the general caution on its com mencement, or while we are in doubt; in its further advance, the treatment must be adapted to the different symptoms it exhibits, as more nearly approaching to the nature of the synocha or typhus, and should be governed by the regulations al ready laid down for the treatment of these diseases.
Underthis genus Dr. Cullen has ranged hetic fever : whilst he makes phthisis, of which he admits it to be only a symp.. tom, uuder a genus of another order, which he denominates hemorrhagie. It cannot, therefore, be considered as enti tled to any notice in the present place, and we shall consequently transfer it to that to which it more properly belongs.
Topical inflammations, or phlegmasir, are a very numerous assemblage of dis eases : their chief characteristics are, the general symptoms of fever, and a topical inflammation, attended with the lesion of some important tbnction ; in which, usual ly after blood-letting, the blood is found upon coagulation to be covered with a bully coat. This order comprehends the following eighteen genera; 1. Phlogosis, of which, upon the Cullenian system, there are two species ; P. phlegmon, and P. erythema, or cutaneous erysipelas. 2. Ophthalmia, inflammation of the eyes. 3. Phrenitis, inflammation of the brain. 4. Cynanche, the sore throat, or quinsy. Pneumonia, inflammation of the lungs. 6. Camlitis, of the heart. 7. Peritonitis, of the peritoneum. 8. Gastritis, of the stomach. 9. Enteritis, of the intes tinal canal. 10. Hepatitis, of the liver. 11. Splenitia, of the spleen. 12. Nephri tis, of the kidnies. 13. Cystitis, of the urinary bladder. 14. Hysteritis, of the *womb. 15. Rheumatismus, rheumatism. 16. Odontalgia, inflammatory toothach. 37. Podagm, gout. 18. Arthropuosis, in flammation of the hip.
By far the greater number of these are of the same natural family, and require the same mode of treatment ; and several we have already noticed in the article DIETETICS. Whatever be the organ af fected, with the very few exceptions we shall presently point out, the inflammation must be attacked with applications both general and topical, and powerful in pro-, portion to the degree of inflammation. Venesectiott, cathartics of calomel, and laxative injections, may be safely recom. mended as a part of the general practice.
Local bleeding by cupping, wherever it can be employed, and where it cannot, by leeches, should constitute an essential feature of the plan, and be repeated ac cording to the urgency of the symptoms. In most of these diseases benefit may also be obtained by frigid lotions, as of com mon spring water, ice water, vinegar: while the general symptomatic fever, if considerable, must be attacked by the process of cure already laid down in the treatment of fevers, and varied according to the phenomena that arise. When the cause is obvious, as in many cases of oph thalmia, or inflammation of the intestines, we should be indefatigable till it be re moved, since without the accomplishment of this point every thing else must be of no avail. These are general hints. Se veral of the diseases, however, arranged under this order are connectedartificially alone, and not naturally, and require a distinct treatment. We shall briefly no tice a few of them.
Erythema. As in this affection, notwith standing the inflammatory appearance, there is frequently a considerable degree of debility, we must not push the antiphlo gistic measures too far, partioularly in debilitated habits, and in those advanced in life, for fear of inducing gangrene, but rather trust to wine, bark combined with snake-root or camphor, and the sulphuric acid, together with local applications. Should there, notwithstanding all our ef forts, be a tendency to gangrene, we should stimulate in • still higher degree ; on the other hand,should there be any con siderable danger of excitement, which, however, is rarely the case, accompanied with a hard, full, and strong pulse, blood letting,repeated aecordingto the violence of the symptoms and effects produced, will be necessary ; at the same time, it will be advisable to employ gentle ca thartics : but the bark will usually be found the most efficacious remedy in every stage of this disease.
Cynanche, Quinsy. Of this genus the Cullenian system makes five species. 1. C. tonsillar's, common inflammatory sore throat. 2. C. maligns, malignant sore •throat, chiefly symptomatic of scarlet and other fevers of a putrid tendency. 3. C. trachealis, croup ; a disease most com monly of infancy. 4. C. pharynges, a mere variety of C. tonsillaris, by its being ex tended to the pharynx. 5. C. parotuea, mumps; generally a slight inflammatory affection, and lasting only a few days, of the parotid and maxillary glands ; though sometimes succeeded in men by symptomatic intumescence of the testes, and in women induration of the mamms, usually, however, yielding to repellent ap gentle aperients. if the head be affected by stupor, or delirium, from a similar sympathy, it should be bathed with warm water; and a few ounces of blood, according to the strength of the patient, should be taken from the arm.