Cold sponging.—­Whenever the skin is pungently hot and dry, the whole surface of the body should be sponged with cold water, or with vinegar and water.  The heat is by this means rapidly abstracted, and the child refreshed; and this may again and again be resorted to, as the heat again returns.  By this application alone, “the pulse has been diminished in frequency, the thirst has abated, the tongue has become moist, a general free per spiration has broken forth, the skin has become soft and cool, and the eyes have brightened; and these indications of relief have been speedily followed by a calm and refreshing sleep.  In all these respects, the condition of the patient presented a complete contrast to that which preceded the cold washing; and his languor was exchanged for a considerable share of vigour.  The morbid heat, it is true, when thus removed, is liable to return, and with it the distressing symptoms; but a repetition of the remedy is followed by the same beneficial effects as at first."[FN#40]

[FN#40] Bateman’s Practical Synopsis of Cutaneous Diseases.

Gargles and the inhalation of warm water.—­When the throat is affected, gargles are sometimes ordered; but the pain and inconvenience which their employment gives rise to, frequently precludes their use:  and children seldom understand how to employ them, even if the state of the throat permitted it.  Under these circumstances, the inhalation of the steam of hot water, or hot vinegar and water, may be substituted, and with decided benefit.  Mudge’s inhaler is a good contrivance to effect this.

When the throat is found by the mother to be early affected, an immediate application to the medical adviser is especially important.  For, if he be called upon to treat this form of scarlet fever at its very commencement, by judicious treatment, the duration and violence of the disease may be both shortened and greatly mitigated.

Regimen.—­Cooling drinks, as plain water, toast and water, barley water flavoured with lemon peel, fresh whey, lemonade, and thin gruel, may all be resorted to in their turn.  The child may also be allowed oranges, grapes, or lemons sweetened with sugar, particularly when the mouth is foul and dry; but care must be taken that neither the pulp nor the stones are swallowed.  These will both refresh and feed the patient as much as is necessary until the decline of the disease.  The parent must strictly forbid the attendants in the sick chamber giving, at this period, any heating or stimulating fluid, as also animal food; and this injunction must be strictly regarded, even in the mildest form of the disease.

When the child is convalescent, mild nourishment will be required, such as arrow-root, tapioca, chicken or mutton broth, beef tea, jellies, and roasted apples; and by and by a mutton chop.  Wine is seldom necessary, except under circumstances of unusual debility after a protracted illness, when its moderate use tends much to assist the convalescence; but, if given unadvisedly, there will be great hazard of exciting internal inflammatory disease.