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Weakness

Sources: Papers On Health

Often there follows, after the cure of an inflammatory

disease, very great weakness. This in itself is sometimes a great

danger, but can usually be removed by proper care and nursing. The

common method of administering wine, brandy, or other alcoholic liquor,

is the very worst that could be adopted. Hot water will prove a

valuable stimulant, when a stimulant is required. Any NOURISHMENT

(see) to be given should also be
just a little warmer than blood

heat. For drink, the unfermented wine made by Frank Wright, Chemist,

Kensington, London, is of great value. It is simply the pure juice of

the grape. If milk be given, it should always be diluted with an equal

bulk of boiling water. The fomentation of the feet and legs will

greatly help in restoring vigour. This should be done gently at first,

where the weakness is great. Afterwards, when the patient can bear it,

the ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (see) will be found serviceable. All this,

of course, is on the assumption that only weakness and no fever is

the trouble. Where fever is present, other treatment is necessary.



Sponging all over with warm vinegar is also a most invigorating thing.

Do this once, and afterwards the treatment may be varied by the real

stimulant of cayenne being used in the form of an infusion strong

enough to rouse the nerves, as is done by the acid. This has the

advantage of saving the skin, if that is tender, and keeping off

eruption, which is apt to come if the acid is often used. We think it

well to use the acid once or so, and the cayenne infusion as frequently

as anything of the kind is required. Rubbing with olive oil is also

most beneficial. But both must be done very cautiously where there is

great weakness. To rub the whole body at once will then be too much.

But it may be done bit by bit, stopping whenever fatigue or chilliness

is felt by the patient. See also Heat and Weakness.



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