me beef-tea,
chicken-broth, and even a little wine with water, will raise the
reactive powers of the patient. During convalescence, meat may be
permitted to such patients as have been accustomed to eat it, and, in
general, the patients may be allowed to gradually resume their former
diet (provided it were a healthy one), with some restriction in regard
to quantity. In general, under water-treatment, the digestive organs
continuing in a tolerably good state, and the functions in better order,
we need not be quite so careful with respect to diet, as if the patient
were left to himself, or treated after any other method of the
drug-system. Let the food be plain, and the patient will scarcely ever
eat too much. To stimulate his appetite by constantly asking him whether
he would not like this or that, is sheer nonsense; and to satisfy his
whims, against our better conviction, is culpable weakness.

From this general outline, I shall now pass to the treatment adapted to
the different forms of scarlatina.

56. TREATMENT OF SCARLATINA SIMPLEX, OR SIMPLE SCARLET-FEVER.

_Scarlatina simplex_, or _simple scarlet-fever_ (9), without
inflammation of the throat, is generally so mild in its course, that it
requires little or no treatment. However, I would not have parents look
upon it as "scarcely a disease," as neglect and exposure may bring on
bad consequences (7 and 25). If the fever and heat are very moderate,
the first days an ablution of the body with cool water (say 70 deg.), twice
a day, is sufficient. The patient had better be kept in bed, or, if
unwilling to stay there, he should be warmly dressed and move about his
room, the temperature of which, in this case, should not be below 70 deg.
Fahrenheit, and the windows should be shut, as long as the patient is
out of bed.

When the period of efflorescence, or standing out of the rash, is over,
packs ought to be given, to extract the poison completely from the
system, and to prevent any sequels, such as anasarca, &c. (25). Should
the rash suddenly disappear before the fifth or sixth day, or should it
linger in coming out, a long pack will bring it out and remove all
danger. The packs, once begun, should be continued, once a day, during
and a few days after desquamation. The patient may go out on the tenth
or twelfth day warmly dressed, after his pack and bath, and walk for
half an hour; sitting down or standing still to talk in the open air is
not to be permitted. During,