In eruptive diseases such as small-pox, scarlet fever, vario-loid, and measles, the vapor bath may be used with benefit at any stage of the disease. If the eruption be slow to appear, applying a vapor bath will bring it to the surface; or if there be a tendency to retrocession of the eruption, the vapor bath should be applied, or at least a moist heat applied around the patient and a powerful stimulant administered, such as the third preparation of Lobelia, and a stimulating injection given. In every stage of smallpox the vapor bath is grateful to the
THE MEDICINES OF NATURE 53
patient and aids the constitution in throwing out the disease. In the later period of eruptive diseases, when scabs are forming and the patient much distressed, the steam bath will afford more relief than any other means that can lie employed; and when the scales are dry and falling off there is no better remedy for restoring the natural healthy condition of the skin. Scarlet fever and measles are very liable to be followed by dropsy, running of ears, swelling of glands, etc., arising in part from an unhealthy condition of the skin, which may be remedied by steam baths.
In violent colds and catarrh where the breathing is greatly oppressed and the skin dry and drawn, or cold and clammy, and the patient much distressed, the employment of vapor baths becomes highly beneficial, not only to relieve the distressing symptoms but to facilitate the operation of medicine.
Next Page (50)