[p. 87]should
pay attention, that he may not miss observing the exciting causes,
as far as they can be ascertained by reasoning, nor such symptoms
as should appear on an even or odd day, but he ought to be particularly
guarded in observing the odd days, as it is in them, more especially,
that changes take place in patients. He should mark, particularly,
the first day on which the patient became ill, considering when and
whence the disease commenced, for this is of primary importance to
know. When you examine the patient, inquire into all particulars;
first how the head is, and if there be no headache, nor heaviness
in it; then examine if the hypochondria and sides be free of pain; for if the hypochondrium
be painful, swelled, and unequal, with a sense of satiety, or if there
be pain in the side, and, along with the pain, either cough, tormina,
or belly-ache, if any of these symptoms be present in the hypochondrium,
the bowels should be opened with clysters, and the patient should
drink boiled hydromel in a hot state. The physician should ascertain
whether the patient be apt to faint when he is raised up, and whether
his breathing be free; and examine the discharges from the bowels,
whether they be very black, or of a proper color, like those of persons
in good health, and ascertain whether the fever has a paroxysm every
third day, and look well to such persons on those days. And should
the fourth day prove like the third, the patient is in a dangerous
state. With regard to the symptoms, black stools prognosticate death;
but if they resemble the discharges of a healthy person, and if such
is their appearance every day, it is a favorable symptom; but when
the bowels do not yield to a suppository, and when, though the respiration
be natural, the patient when raised to the night table, or even in
bed, be seized with deliquium, you may expect that the patient, man
or woman, who experiences these symptoms, is about to fall
into a state of delirium. Attention also should be paid to the hands,
for if they tremble, you may expect epistaxis; and observe the nostrils,
whether the breath be drawn in equally by both; and if expiration
by the nostrils be large, a convulsion is apt to take place; and should
a convulsion occur to such a person, death may be anticipated, and
it is well to announce it beforehand.
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