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Name and Principle.—The name eclectic means choosing, and it refers directly to the means used for treating disease. It implies a selection of methods and remedies from all other systems of practice. "The great principle upon which eclecticism is based is: that disease, wherever met, and in whatever form manifested, is an impairment of vitality; that causes of disease are depressing and, whilst they exist, lower vital powers. The corollary from this is, that all agencies employed in the treatment of disease should act in one of two ways—removing the depressing cause, and increasing the vital powers for tetter resistance and subsequent restoration of structures and function."

Belief.—The eclectic schools of medicine believe in the curative power of nature. They claim that medicines can be useful only as they aid nature in her endeavors to cure the diseased condition.

All the remedies known as antiphlogistic are discarded: bleeding, mercurials, antimony, and so forth. They avoid the use of mineral poisons for medical purposes. They seek to remove the cause of disease through the natural outlets of the body, and foster those measures which result in a better renewal of life. They treat the cause rather than any special symptoms which result from its presence.

1st. A general bodily expression of vigor, the face being the chief indicator.

2d. No painful or unpleasant sensations should be present.

3d. The bodily heat should be 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

4th. A pulse of 72 beats each minute, regular in force and time.

5th. A good appetite and digestion, with a daily bowel movement.

6th. The skin and kidneys should be acting normally.

7th. Well-balanced nervous system and a clear eye.

Any deviation from the condition just described would constitute disease, but we do not usually speak of a condition as disease until it has been in existence long enough, or become strong enough, to make its presence inconvenient or troublesome to the patient. The following are some of the conditions which indicate disease:

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1st. The face of the patient, his position and actions show signs of suffering.

2d. The temperature may vary widely from the normal. It may fall to 95 degrees or lower, or rise to 107 degrees or more. The presence or absence of fever can be discovered to some degree by the hand, but far better with a thermometer.

3d. The pulse may be increased or decreased in frequency; may become harder or softer than normal; may be irregular in rythm or force.

4th. The stomach and bowels may be disturbed, and this will be indicated by the condition of the tongue.

5th. The urine and discharges from the bowels may be very much altered. The skin will be rough and harsh to the touch, and during fever, hot and dry.

6th. The nervous system may present a great variety of symptoms. The eye will be dull and heavy except in special diseased conditions.

A consideration of the symptoms present in a given case leads to a conclusion regarding its character. That is called making a diagnosis.

Diseases are known by their features in the same way that we know our friends and relatives by their features.

The medicines and methods used in caring for a sick patient are termed the treatment. These will be indicated in connection with each condition as it is described later. One thing only need be said here: "Never give medicine unless you are positive that it will relieve present discomfort and shorten the duration of disease."

Fevers are of two classes: 1st. Those which have a local cause in one or more of the organs of the body; 2d. Those in which no such local cause is found, but in which the fluids of the body are involved in disease.

Phenomena of Fevers.—The advent and course of a fever is, in general, as follows: 1st. A period of gradual approach called the incubation period or onset. It is known by the feeling of weariness, dry skin, cold hands and feet, loss of appetite, with headache and disturbed sleep.

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The Cold Stage.—2d. This is usually known by the chill which occurs. Severe headache and backache. The hands and feet become icy cold, the lips are blue and the face very pale. This stage may last only a few minutes or may be prolonged to several hours.

The Hot Stage.—3d. At this time the pulse becomes rapid. The color returns to the face and is increased. The body heat rises, sometimes very high. The skin remains hot and dry. The length of this period varies greatly in different fevers. Following it we have

The Stage of Decline.—4th. This leads to recovery. The various symptoms become less and less severe. The skin becomes moist. The secretions begin again and gradually all the functions resume their normal course.

Fevers are divided into two classes according to their course: intermittent and continued.

Treatment.—This class of fevers are the result of poisoning by malaria. In the stage of onset they may be aborted by a brisk purge, an emetic and a sweat. In the cold stage the patient should be treated by a hot mustard foot-bath and then placed in bed, well covered by blankets, with hot bottles or bricks to the feet and limbs, and given frequent drinks of ice water or very hot coffee or water. During the hot stage cold drinks should be administered; the body frequently sponged with cold water, and then lightly covered and protected from drafts.

Between attacks the patient should remain in bed if he is at all prostrated. He should be given quinine in large enough doses to cause the ears to ring. It is best given in solution. The following prescription is a good one:

      Rx.---Quinine ............................. (drachms)ij
            Aromatic sulphuric acid.............. f(ounces)i

(Transcription note: the symbols for drachm and ounce are not used here, since not all browsers will properly display them. Amounts are Roman numerals, where the last 'i' may be changed to a 'j' to terminate the number and discourage alteration (see the Wikipedia article on Roman Numerals). The prescriptions in this section, while not written in Latin, seem to be using physician's code for units and amounts. Therefore the above would read: 2 drachms Quinine in 1 fl. ounce of aromatic sulphuric acid.)

Give half a teaspoonful in a glass of water every three hours. A double dose should be given about two hours before the time of next expected chill.

When the stomach will not retain quinine it may be used in an ointment:

       Rx.---Quinine ............................ (drachms)i
             Lard ............................... (ounces)ij

This should be rubbed into the skin, especially the parts under the arms and on the inside of the thighs. The amount above indicated should be used every day if the patient is an adult. It will be sufficient for four days in a child five years or under.

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When Quinine Fails.—When quinine fails, or is too slow in its action, the following may be used:

      Rx.---Strychnine .......................... (grains)ij
            Dilute muriatic acid ................ f(ounces)ij

Water enough to make half a pint. Give one teaspoonful every three hours to an adult. Another remedy is common salt:

      Rx.---Salt ................................ (ounces)iij
            Powdered elm ........................ (drachms)iij
            Boiling water ....................... 1/2 pint

Give a teaspoonful every two hours during the absence of the fever.

Febricula or little Fever.—This may be caused by a single cold, by constipation (especially in children), catarrh, simple sore throat, indigestion and slight congestion of the lungs.

Treatment.—Relieve the bowels, if necessary, by an enema. Place the patient in a full warm bath, rub briskly after it, and follow with a hot mustard foot-bath. Place him in bed between blankets and give frequent cold drinks until he sweats. Allow him to sweat for half an hour, then rub dry and remove all but the lightest blanket. Allow him to go to sleep and he will probably wake up entirely recovered.

There are three conditions of this fever which have received separate names: 1st. Those which are so mild that they are not usually considered to be typhoid at all, and known as synochal fever; 2d. Those that are somewhat more severe, but run a shorter course than most cases of typhoid, and are called synochoid fever. They are, however, all caused by the same poison and should be classed with (3d) Typhoid Fever.

Typical Typhoid.—A typical case of typhoid fever has a stage or period of onset covering about one week. The usual symptoms of that stage will be present, but the gradual daily increase of fever will be quite apparent. The face will acquire a dull, spiritless aspect and the patient may be somewhat drowsy. About the eighth day a few fine, so-called, rose spots will appear upon the abdomen. Their distinguishing feature is that they do not disappear entirely when the skin upon which they rest is stretched. This fever is self-limiting, so that the treatment is nearly all comprised within the field of good nursing.

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Diet.—Certain rules, however, must be adhered to very strictly. No solid food should be given at any time during the illness. Liquid food should be given every two or three hours, according to the needs of each case. At times it is necessary to awake the patient during the night to give nourishment. Milk, beef tea, albumin or white of egg, the entire egg raw, and beef extracts will be found useful.

The Bath.—Plenty of water should be given if the patient desires it. A soap and water sponge bath should be given daily. As often as the temperature goes above 102 degrees Fahrenheit an ice-water sponge bath, with friction, should be given. If these do not prove sufficient to keep the temperature under control full tub baths should be used. The water should be 85 degrees Fahrenheit when the patient is placed in it. Ice is then added gradually until the water is only 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Rubbing should be employed during the entire bath, which should continue for 15 or 20 minutes, or until the patient's teeth are beginning to chatter. He should be lifted out and quickly dried, then laid on the bed with a blanket over him until reaction follows. The blanket is then replaced by a sheet and the patient allowed to sleep if he desires. Usually a stimulant is given before each tub bath. This may be half an ounce of whiskey or brandy.

Disinfection.—All urine and bowel discharges should be disinfected before being thrown out. Probably the best thing to use for this purpose is a saturated solution of Chlorinated Lime or Bleaching Powder. Use a tablespoonful to each pint of the discharges, mix it well and allow the mixture to stand for five minutes before emptying.

The giving of medicine in this fever ought to be under a doctor's care, and there are so many possible complications that may arise that it is always wise to have a physician in charge of the case.

Symptoms.—This is sometimes called camp fever. It is a well-recognized form of disease, running a definite course, and is due to a special infective poison. Its onset is shorter and more severe than that of typhoid. There is severe pain in the head and back, the former is often retracted in the same way that it is in meningitis. The skin becomes a lusky red and about the sixth day a distinct papular eruption appears.

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This disease is marked at the outset by redness of the eyes and free flow of mucus from the nose. There is usually some sore throat and slight cough, but the throat trouble is not as severe as in scarlet fever.

Treatment.—1. When the above signs appear begin the treatment by bathing the feet in hot water for half an hour; then place the patient in bed and give frequent doses of an infusion or tea, made of lobelia and asclepias leaves, equal parts of each. This should be stopped as soon as there is produced any tendency to vomit. Such treatment favors the outbreak of the eruption. After it is fully out continue the same medicine but in smaller doses to relieve cough and quiet any lung symptoms which may be present. Plenty of water should be given and a liquid diet.

2. When the fever is high sponging with tepid water is very soothing and will often quiet a restless patient and produce sleep.

3. For troublesome cough an infusion or tea made from the ordinary red clover hay will be found very useful.

Accessory Treatment.—1. When the chest symptoms are bad a tent may be made over the bed and steam passed under it from a kettle, the water in which has a teaspoonful of the tincture of lobelia to each pint. A cloth spread with carbolized vaseline may be placed on the chest to aid in soothing the symptoms in that region.

2. Care should be taken to protect the patient from danger of taking fresh cold during at least two weeks after all the fever is gone. If care is not exercised in this regard chronic nasal catarrh may result. See that the clothing is sufficiently warm and that the feet are kept dry.

Treatment in Severe Cases.—1. Whenever a case of measles is apparently severe at the outset, the treatment should begin with the following:

      Tincture of belladonna ............................. 20 drops
      Tincture of aconite ................................ 15  "
      Water ..............................................  4 ounces
  Mix and give a teaspoonful every hour until the skin is relaxed and 
the pulse less strong.

2. Whenever the eruption is delayed a wet pack will usually bring it out. If this cannot be given an emetic of salt or mustard water will be found effective.

3. For very severe cough following or even during the attack a teaspoonful of the tincture of drosera in a wineglassful of water every four hours will afford great relief.

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Treatment.—1. The sooner the eruption appears the shorter the disease; treatment therefore should, first be directed toward that end. We accordingly begin at once with the following:

      Tincture of aconite ................................ 15 drops
      Tincture of belladonna ............................. 20  "
      Water ..............................................  4 ounces
  Mix and give a teaspoonful every hour.

2. Bathe the body frequently in water in which a little soda has been dissolved. These measures will hasten the appearance of the eruption and can be gradually decreased as the fever subsides.

3. For the throat conditions the fumes from vinegar and water (one part of the former to three of the latter) will be found useful. Also a flannel soaked in equal parts of vinegar and water should be bound around the throat and renewed every hour or half hour during the worst part of the attack and then gradually discontinued as the trouble subsides.

4. In the early stages of very severe cases veratrum may be substituted for aconite in the prescription given above. If the nervous system is much affected replace the belladonna by gelsemium. When the glands of the neck swell badly the following preparation may be painted on the outside every four hours:

      Tincture of lobelia ................................ 2  ounces
      Tincture of aconite. ............................... 1/2 ounce
      Tincture of arnica ............................... . 1/2   "

Or, make a poultice of wheat-bran and a strong tea of lobelia and apply it to the neck. One of the best gargles for patients old enough to use this method is made by adding one-half a teaspoonful of permanganate of potassium to a pint of water.

Treatment.—1. Give a sponge bath followed by a hot foot-bath and hot drinks until sweating follows. If the bowels are costive it would be well to give a dose of castor oil or a seidlitz powder at the very outset.

2. If the fever is high give the following:

      Tincture of veratrum............................ 10  drops
      Tincture of asclepias .......................... 1/2 ounce
      Water ..........................................  3  ounces
  Mix and give a teaspoonful every hour to a child five or six years old.

3. For itching of the skin bathe with the following:

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      Glycerine ......................................  5 ounces
      Rose water .....................................  5   "
      Subnitrate of bismuth .......................... 30 grains

Treatment.—1. First give an emetic if the attack is severe; if not, use the prescription with aconite given under the head of Measles and add veratrum if the fever is high. In the latter condition also we should use the general bath in addition to the hot foot-bath. The bath may be made more effective by adding salt or pepper or mustard to the water. If the feet become cold at any time a hot mustard foot-bath may be used.

2. For the sore throat give every hour a teaspoonful of the following :

      Potassium chlorate ............................. 3 drachms
      Water .......................................... 4 ounces

If the mouth and throat remain dry use the following:

      Dilute muriatic acid ............................ 1/2 ounce
      Simple syrup ....................................  2  ounces
  Mix and give a teaspoonful in water as a drink every two hours.

3. When the aconite has reduced the force of the disease so that the skin becomes soft and moist, stop it and give quinine, one grain every hour until the pulse is full and strong. If the patients are old enough to gargle, any of the following may be used: Chlorate of potash ten grains to the ounce of water; infusion of baptisia; infusion of witch hazel; dilute tincture of phytolacca; or the solution of permanganate of potash thirty grains to the pint of water. The last can be used as a spray or on cotton swabs. Use vinegar and water compresses to the outside of the neck constantly.

Treatment.—Give aromatic spirits of ammonia in two-drachm doses in water every hour until reaction follows the shock. Strong coffee is also useful for the same purpose. Slices of raw onion may be bound on the point of injury or sting. Another very good external application is the permanganate of potash solution two drachms to the pint of water.

Treatment.—Whenever a cold is suspected it may be broken up by giving a half drachm of the tincture of gelsemium and allowing the patient to sleep for a couple of hours. If this cannot be done give a hot mustard foot-bath, place the patient in bed and give hot drinks until a good sweat is secured. If more rapid means are desired give an emetic. Another good method is a wet sheet pack. Give a brisk purge in nearly all cases.

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Treatment.—Usually the plan just given for treating a cold will be found equally useful for influenza. If there is fever, or further treatment is needed, give teaspoonful doses of compound tincture of Virginia snakeroot every two hours until the patient is well.

Treatment.—Use the following spray to the part during five minutes every four hours:

Rx.---Aconite tincture .................................. 1  drachm
      Water ............................................. 1/4 pint

This will usually cut short the attack. Do not allow the patient to swallow the spray. If an atomizer cannot be had apply the medicine on cotton. Equal parts of vinegar and water may be used in place of the above. Apply on the outside flannels moistened with stillingia liniment. If the aconite spray does not cure in two days stop it and paint the tonsils with fluid extract of witch hazel.

Treatment.—This may be the same as that just outlined for tonsillitis, but usually more active measures are needed. The hot foot-bath, steam inhalations and frequent small doses of tincture of lobelia or sanguinaria in simple syrup should be given until free sweating and flow of mucus occurs. Prompt relief will then follow. Dry cups on the outside will be necessary in severe cases. A good free purge should always be secured early in the treatment.

Treatment.—1. Begin the treatment by an emetic of lobelia or mustard water; after it acts give a purgative—the compound jalap powder or compound cathartic pill; follow that with a hot foot-bath and warm drinks until the patient sweats freely, then dry quickly and place in bed. If the attack is not entirely averted by this treatment give the following until recovery is complete:

Rx.---Tincture of gelsemium............................... 1 ounce
      Acetate of potash. ................................. 1/2 "
      Water ........................................up to 4 ounces
        Mix and give a teaspoonful every two hours.

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2. If a stronger expectorant or cough mixture is needed the following may answer:

Rx.---Syrup of lobelia................................... 2 ounces
      Syrup of senega.................................... 2    "
      Syrup of althea.................................... 2    "
      Tincture of hyocyamus............................. 1/2 ounce
          Mix and give a teaspoonful every two hours. (It is well to give
      quinine and iron as a tonic during convalescence.)

Treatment.—1. This is often the result of neglect in the course of an acute attack. Its treatment is therefore the same as that used in later stages of acute bronchitis. Cough is usually the most troublesome symptom, and the following mixtures have been found useful in combating it:

Rx.---Balsam of fir..................................... 1 ounce
      Balsam of tolu.................................... 1    "
      Balsam of peru.................................... 1    "
      Oil of anise...................................... 1/2 drachm
      Tincture of opium................................. 1     "
      Honey ............................................ 2 ounces
      Jamaica rum, to make one pint.
          Mix, and take 1 or 2 teaspoontula every three or four hours.
      Shake well before using.

2. Or,

Rx.---Balsam of copaiba................................. 1 ounce
      Balsam of fir..................................... 1/2  "
      Sweet spirits of nitre............................ 1/2  "
      Honey ............................................ 1/2  "
      Mucilage of acacia, to make 4 ounces.
          Mix, and take a teaspoonful every four hours.
          Inhalations of creosote are also useful---a drachm in a pint Of
      boiling water three times a day.

Treatment.—1. Chronic cases have been cured by the following:

Rx.---Sulphur ......................................... 1/2   ounce
      Bruised anise seed............................... 2-1/2 drachms
      Confection of senna.............................. 6       "
      Syrup of tolu.................................... 6       "
          Mix, and take freely every day; or, one or two teaspoonfuls three
      times a day, or sufficient to keep the bowels moving easily.

2. Or,

Rx.---Sulphur ........................................ 1/2 ounce
      Anise seed ..................................... 1/2  "
      Senna .......................................... 1    "
      Cream of tartar................................. 1    "
          Mix, and give a teaspoonful every night, or oftener if required.
          Bathing and hygiene should be very carefully attended to.

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Treatment.—1. Begin with the following medicine as soon as the diagnosis is made:

Rx.---Fluid extract of belladonna ................... 10 drops
      Alum ..........................................  1 drachm
      Simple syrup ..................................  4 ounces
          Mix, and give a teaspoonful every three hours to a child two
      years old.  The amount of belladonna in the prescription
      should be increased five drops for every added year of age
      in the patient.

2. Another good mixture is:

Rx.---Clover hay ..................................... 2   ounces
      Boiling water .................................. 1/2 pint
          Mix and let stand for half an hour, then strain and add 1
      ounce of sugar.  Give 2 teaspoonfuls every three hours.

Treatment.—To drive out stomach worms give five and a half grains of santonate of soda on two succeeding nights; follow on the second morning with sufficient compound jalap powder to give a free purge. Give tonics afterward and keep the bowels regular.

Pin Worms.—Keep the bowels regular and the person clean, also take daily injections of cold salt water in the strength of a tablespoonful of salt to the pint of water.

Tape Worms.—1. For tape worms give the following:

Rx.---Oil of turpentine .................................. 1 ounce
        Castor oil ....................................... 1   "
        Honey ............................................ 1   "
        Yolks of 3 eggs.
            Beat the ingredients together and take it all, in divided
        doses during an hour, before retiring at night.

2. The ethereal oil of male fern is also an efficient remedy. The dose is from a half to one and a half drachms according to the age of the patient, given in milk or mucilage at night and followed in the morning by a purgative of compound jalap powder.

Treatment.—Give the sulphate of magnesia in teaspoonful doses in as little water as will melt it every hour until the blood is stopped. Follow that by an astringent, or opium if there is pain. The subnitrate of bismuth will rapidly check the succeeding diarrhoea; give half a drachm every two hours until the bowels are checked. The patient should go without food for a day and then begin very cautiously with liquid diet and gradually increase until full diet is again reached.

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Treatment.—1. If it is due to irritating urine of too high acidity give alkaline drinks, skimmed milk and plenty of pure water. When it is due to nervous conditions give:

Rx.---Belladonna ..................................... 30 drops
      Water ..........................................  4 ounces
          Mix and give a teaspoonful four times a day.

2. If the sufferer is a poorly nourished child give tonics like nux vomica or cantharides.

3. Sometimes circumcision will cure when all other means have failed.

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Last Modified: Monday, 13-May-2013 15:31:47 EDT