Let it once for all be observed, that all the benefit we can possibly hope and expect from bleeding, is to lessen the whole system, to reduce the quantity of the fluids, and to relax the solids. This lessening of the system I must own is very often highly necessary; But, let us not fall into the ridiculous notion to suppose that bleeding will draw off the bad blood, and leave the good behind; far otherwise; the quantity of the blood is soon replenished, but the quality becomes impoverished.
The principle intention in fevers of whatever kind, should be to promote perspiration. This is the grand restorative of nature; and I cannot recommend it too much. Nature designed this evacuation in the formation of man; and by that, fevers were cured in time of yore, many ages before art contrived either lance or lancets.
But here let me not forget another great caution; namely, not to mistake profuse sweating for perspiration; for this is an extreme into which many have erroneously fallen. Nature frequently produces a sweat without force or compulsion; and if so, it should be favoured, but never brought on by stimulants, or strong forcing medicines.
Perspiration, sweat and urine, are the natural evacuations intended, for the purifying the system from animal acrimony; and when these excretions are in a just balance with the secretions of the fluids and motion in the system, without pain or fatigue; then nature is at peace with itself.
Lastly, I must observe, that the stomach is an organ which, by the nervous consent, carries on an immediate correspondence with every part in the human fabric; whence this viscera should likewise ever be consulted in fevers; that is, never to impose on it any aliment against its own inclination and appetite.
The want of appetite in a fever is a natural cause, and very often is in the patient’s favour; but the mistaken notion, that a patient must eat, even against his inclination, in order to recover strength, is not only highly absurd, but has been the destruction of many, who otherwise would have recovered, had they with patience waited the kind dictates of Nature.
Let the system be free from diseases, and the stomach will soon crave food, when there is a probability that the aliment may be converted into good blood; but whatever is forced into the stomach before that time, will instead of nourishing the body, only add fuel to the destructive fire, and encrease the already malignant blood.