=Definition.=—An acute, febrile disease, mild in character, of short
duration, not excited by any special organism and depending on a
variety of irritating causes.
=Osteopathic Etiology.=—The most frequent cause of this form of fever
is probably gastro-intestinal disturbance. In children it may be due to
gastro-intestinal derangement, or to the eating of decomposing food or
to exposure to wet and cold. It may be caused by exposure to the sun
or great heat, or mental or physical fatigue. It may be the result of
exposure to cold sufficient to produce a slight bronchitis, tonsillitis
or other affection producing an unnoticed localized inflammation. It
may follow a prolonged exposure to noxious odors or gas. Lesions,
osseous or muscular, are always present, corresponding to the tissues
and organs disturbed. Muscular lesions, especially, are prominent.
=Symptoms.=—The onset is usually sudden with a feeling of lassitude,
weariness, chilliness, and headache. The temperature rises quickly to
102 or 103 degrees F. or over, and is usually apt to terminate suddenly
by crisis on the third or fourth day. The pulse is frequent and the
face is flushed. The child is often irritable. Mild delirium may occur.
Anorexia is present, and the bowels are constipated. Convalescence is
rapid.
=Diagnosis.=—This depends upon excluding other probable diseases. If
the fever cannot be attributed to some of the causes already referred
to, there may be a doubt as to its character for the first twenty-four
hours, but, if after a careful examination, one finds no other cause
and no symptoms develop of any of the recognized diseases, acute
continued fever can hardly be mistaken for any other disease.
=Prognosis.=—Always favorable, recovery without sequelæ being the rule.
=Treatment.=—It is necessary to find out the irritative cause in order
for one to be able to treat intelligently. Rest in bed with treatment
of the disturbing factor of the disease, whatever that may be, is the
principal treatment to be given. Careful examination of all the organs,
with due consideration of the symptoms, will generally leave no doubt
as to the cause, and treatment applied accordingly will be sufficient.
If there is any gastro-intestinal disorder, thorough treatment of the
splanchnics, anterior treatment to the abdomen and thorough evacuation
of the bowels are indicated. Use an enema if necessary. Besides the
usual fever treatment, sponging the body with tepid water at the time
of day when the fever is highest will aid in lessening the temperature
and render the patient more comfortable. In cases where nervous
symptoms are prominent, care should be taken against any excitement
and, if insomnia results, a quieting treatment in the cervical region
is usually sufficient. Use plenty of water internally, which is not
only necessary for the tissues on account of the fever, but is of great
aid in keeping the skin and kidneys active, and thus a great help in
the elimination of waste material. A liquid, nutritious diet is best.
Milk, broths and soups will be enough. The demands on the digestive
tract are not great when a light diet is administered, besides not
exciting the nervous and vascular systems unduly.