Circular ...[concerning "the value of 'Oil or turpentine as a remedy in intermittent fever.'"

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Duke University Libraries

Circular .,.(co
ConI Pam #337

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MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, i

Department of So. Ca., Ga. and Ma. S

Cliarlesion, S. C, Sept 25t!i, 1SC3. >

The attention of MedionI Oflicera in the field, is called to the following commiini-
■ ation received from the Surgeon-General, relative to the value of " Oil of Turpentine
as a remedy in Intermittent Fever."

1 am instructed by him to direct, that " in view of the scarcity and price of
" Quinine, this substitute be employed as far as practicable. Satisfactory experiments
" liaving been instituted to show that the local application of this remedy has proved
•' amply suflScieut to interrupt the morbific chain of successive paroxysms ; one appli-
" (.-aticu only being requisite in the majority of cases, whilst in the remaining ones it
" has proved fully successful in preventing the more serious stage of the paroxysm,
" viz., the chill."

" It is necessary to state, that the after-emplnyment of Bitter Tonics, and also of
" the Liq. Potassiae Arsenitis is indicated in all such cases. The former want (viz.,
" Bitter Tonics) can well be supplied by our Indigenous Remedies."

With this is sent a Blank Form of a Report in which it is desired that the results
attendant upon the use of this agent, shall be embodied, and transmitted Virough
this offioe to the Surgeon-General.

R. L. BRODIE, Medical Director,
[nviR.] Department of S. C, Ga. and Fla.

OIL :)P TUBPKNTINB A3 A REMKUY IV I.STBRMITTKNT PEVKR.

" I Uuve trio J it in over IMHi/ cum, aaj hive not failed a single time wheu the
"remedy was used as here directed.

" My procedure Is as folloirs: tf t!icr« is tulDciL-iit ti iie before the hour of the chill,
" I reiuove any gcDeral syiaptoiU'*, as coastipatlo3, dryaess of skiu.

"Half hour befjre the tl.n; fjr tlie pjroxyi.n, I apply arouad the body, at the
" lower p.irt uf the chest, a baula,'e w<U with Tarpoatiae. The liaoa is replaced, and
" the outside clothing buttoned. If ci:iv>rtiieat, I place the patient in blankets ; if not,
" I make him keep in sight, so that he intjr not remove the bandage. I use .1 strip of
"cloth five or six inches wide.

"If, fro:n any cause, the oil cannot be applied to the body, it may be applied to
" the extremities, care being taken to prevent evaporation of the remedy.

"The ' inoJiu operandi' is evident, by the general impression or shock to the
"symptom, its stimulating qualities; by the piin produced, and by its effect on the
" mind.

".Vlteati.jn U necessary .»n the part irf the urgeon and patient, to ilnd out «»tiU-
'■ Inj the hour for the chill to appear.

" The disease may be double tertian, or may gain or lose an hour at each periodi-
"cal return. Then if the oil is applied, .■« as to be in futl opartUion ut the time the
'* paroxysm would appear, I am safe in saying, tkert wUl b« no chill. I generally let
" the strip remain one hour ; but, if the |«itient sutlers very much, I remove it a little
" sooner. Nearly all on whom I have used it, have let It stay until dry, without much
" complaint.

" The remedy is rapid, powerful and elBclenl, but not no aeoere as many imagine.
" The skin is not left swollen, nor so sore ns from mustard.

"I have met with but oim case of swollen tissui-, iin 1 no case of eezematous vesi-
"cle.

"The remedy hiis many advantages, it is cheap, easily obtained, can be used on
" the march, on fatigue or picket, and no bad symptoms, as nausea, and roaring in
"the bead, follows its use. It is easily managed, a canteen full in the hands of .1
" nurse, and a roll of bandage, being sudltlent.

"A question yet to be settled, is wlu-llier or n>t the disease is more liable to re-
" turn by this treatment, than by the use of Quinine. The constant operation of the
"cause of the disease will favor the solution.

"No rational Therapeutist now coututids that the alkaloid acts by neutralizing
" the poison of ;siiasm in the blood, if tht more sensible view is adopted, that it acts
"by a strong impression on the central nerve centred. That impression is only tem-
"porary. Therefore, I am of the opinion, the lur|ienline plan, combined with the ju-
"dicious use of arsenic will be more permanent in its effects than the use of Quinine
" alone."

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