(B) TREATMENT.

To these biological explanations of what fever is, it will be interesting to add some general description and explanation of its treatment, such as may serve in an emergency as an indication of the proper course to be pursued and by the most simple means, pending the attendance of an hygienic physician.

I must again call special attention to the importance of not clinging too literally to the letter of the law,—­of every rule laid down,—­but rather to study by the light of such laws and with alert intelligence the special features of the case at issue.

Of all hygienic treatments of fever, which have come under my notice in the course of many years, there is none more clearly, simply and intelligibly described than that which Dr. C. Sturm, has published in his book, “Die natur liche Heilmethode” (The Natural Method of Healing).  I will, therefore, employ it in my explanations, (as translated from the German) adding to it my advanced methods, especially the hydropathic and dietetic treatments which are more in accordance with the demands of modern biological therapy.

In the first place, as we know, fever is indicated by an abnormally hot skin.  This heat is noticeable even by touching the patient with the palm of the hand.

A precise measurement of this heat, of course, requires a thermometer.  The best kind is a so-called maximum thermometer.

The temperature is taken by putting the lower end of the glass into the axilla, or arm-pit, of the arm, or in the mouth or the rectum of the patient, and leaving it there for from 8 to 10 minutes.  When withdrawn, the temperature of the patient can be read at a glance.

The temperature of the skin, however, is not the only indication of fever.  It is accompanied simultaneously by accelerated action of the pulse, up to 120 beats per minute, and even more; also by increased thirst and, as an indication of very intense affection, extreme exhaustion and lassitude.  The increased excretion becomes manifest through dark and strong-smelling urine and, especially at the time when the fever begins to abate, through intense perspiration.

In the beginning of fever the change alternating between chills and abnormal heat is very characteristic; frequently, and especially in severe attacks, it begins with shivers.  The patient suddenly feels an intense chill, so that he commences to shake all over, his teeth chatter and he grasps whatever covering he can for warmth.  Suddenly, following this, a rapid increase of temperature occurs, and the patient begins to complain of intense heat.  In other cases patients complain of feeling very cold, while their skin indicates a marked degree of warmth.

With higher degrees of temperature, the fever may induce a loss of consciousness.  The patient becomes delirious, loses urinary and fecal control and displays the signs of total collapse.