_Of a Cold_.
The fever now to be treated of is the most common amongst mankind;
especially seamen, who are ever exposed, to have the perspiration
obstructed. It however would save many from the grave, and almost as
many from being food for the fish, was it a little more regarded than
what it actually is.
The sound of a cold is so gentle, that custom has almost made it
effeminacy to pay any regard to it; and yet, if we maturely examine, we
shall find the most malignant, acute, and mortal diseases, first make
their appearances by the symptoms of a cold,——But let us proceed to
particulars. A cold is an obstruction of perspiration; which may become
destructive to the animal œconomy if neglected, in so much, that it may
be considered as the first foundation of most diseases.
In my treatise on diseases of the lungs, I have enumerated the many
causes of a cold to which mankind are liable, and their precautions to
avoid them. To sea-faring men, I have one principal cause to mention
whereby they make themselves subject to colds, and sow the seed of many
dangerous diseases in their system, and that is their carelessness in
shifting, after getting wet; in this respect, I have however a remedy to
offer, which is as valuable and as efficacious to their preservation, as
it is easily put in execution. The remedy is simply this:
A man who has been exposed on duty in the rain, and is become thorough
wet, should not only shift himself in dry cloaths, but previously wash
all over with sea water: if he carefully observes this, he will never
get cold on that account. I have not only experienced this personally
many times, but ever found it productive of salutary effects to those I
have persuaded to it.——If we but make some observations on the
accidental occurrences that happen at sea, we shall see the just
foundation of this. When do we find a man who is continually washed by
the sea to have a cold? while on the contrary a foul rainy day, will
almost breed a general sickness.——These observations first brought me on
the notion of washing the body with salt water, and having verified it
by experiment, I soon saw the propriety of it; namely, that the fresh
water being of a sluggish nature, and having a tendency to putrefaction,
is not only apt to infuse a putrescency into the system, but from its
slimy nature apt to clog up the pores, and thus obstruct perspiration;
whilst on the contrary, salt water is not only antiseptic, but
stimulates the pores of the skin to their secretory and excretory
functions.——Nay so perfectly have I experienced this remedy, that I have
persuaded the people to salute one another by way of play with buckets
of sea water on a foul rainy day, and with pleasure I have experienced
that they have all remained brisk and hearty after it, and evidently
seen the difference, that on a similar day the sea water play being
omitted, scarce one who has been thorough wet, escaped a cold in some
degree or other.——I must not forget, that a draught of grog is likewise
no bad preservative. But this is best taken when the watch is out, and
that rest and sleep can be indulged upon it, as that will then be apt to
throw them into a gentle perspiration; whilst however their watch is
upon deck, the best warmth is that which is produced by exercise; except
liquors is taken with the greatest moderation.
But when a cold has actually commenced, care should be taken immediately
to have it subdued in time. The term cold however is a very vague
expression, that includes a great many disorders, occasioned by an
obstruction of perspiration, which all in turn shall be taken notice of:
But as I am now on the subject of fevers, I shall confine myself to that
at present, and consider the cold as it affects the body universally;
namely headaches, a weakness in all the limbs; intermittent fevers,
intermixed sometimes with flushes of heat, and at other times shivering,
chilling, &c.
These are not only the symptoms of a cold, but of almost all
inflammatory fevers; which in fact, the cold is a commencement of. Now
all that nature requires is a perspiration; for thereby the imprisoned
acrimony is expelled, and which nature is always engaged to throw off
from the system.—To this intention, if the patient is rich of blood,
bleeding should be performed; but with such caution, as I have before
recommended. Next give the _fever powder_ (I), together with a good
quantity of balm tea, or if the constitution is of a phlegmatic habit,
sage tea, or even sage punch ( No. V.) will not be improper; but care
should be taken, that if there is much fever, all those things should be
omitted, as it is liable to increase the fever. If there is a nausea at
the stomach, give a vomit: take the following: