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The following condensed rules1 will facilitate the reader in making an accurate conversion of the scales:

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C. into F. DX 9÷5+32
DX 9÷4+32

"F.

F.

= Fahrenheit.

R.:

= Réaumur.

If below freezing point, and above zero F. (--17.77 C., -14.22 R.).

32-(D X9÷5) 32-(D X9÷÷4) 32 x 59(32— D)×5÷9 F. 66 R. D. 32 × 49 −(32— D)×4÷÷9

R.

F.

"C. D

-

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C. 66

R.

R. (all temperatures) D x 4 ÷ 5.
66 C. 46
DX 5 ÷ 4.

66

If below zero F. (-17 77 C., -14.22 R.).

—(D x 9 ÷5) −32 -(D x 9÷4)—32 −(D+32)×59 -(D+32)×1 ÷ 9

1 Attfield, Chemistry, General, Medical and Pharmaceutical, 7th edit. Philadelphia, 1876,

THERAPEUTIC AND PRACTICAL

HINTS.

( 63 )

RULES FOR THE PRACTITIONER.

As an aid to the practitioner, in the daily routine of his profession, the following rules, framed by one of its most distinguished ornaments,' will be, if carefully followed, of inestimable value to him, and enure to the comfort and physical improvement of those under his professional care.

1. When a disease is progressing favorably towards recovery, it is unwise to interfere with the spontaneous effort at cure by the administration of drugs. The end and aim of treatment is not only to restore health, but to do so safely and speedily and pleasantly.

2. Where drugs are needed, and there is a choice of remedies, employ that one which will be the least distressing at the time, and subsequently the least injurious to the constitution.

3. Put the medicine into that form in which it can be most easily taken. When possible, especially with children, cover the disagreeable taste of the draught by syrups, etc.

4. If there be an idiosyncrasy with respect to any spe cial medicine, such as mercury, arsenic, iodide of potas sium, opium, nux vomica, assafoetida, turpentine, etc., avoid administering it. That a peculiarity of constitution, causing an extreme susceptibility to the influence. of certain drugs and foods and odors, sometimes exists, cannot be disputed. It is as certain that it can seldom be safely combated.

Tanner, Practice of Medicine, 5th Amer. ed., p. 1047, Phila. 1872. ( 65 )

5

5. Attend to the condition under which the patient will be at the period of the medicine's action; for example, it will be worse than useless to give a sudorific to an individual obliged to be in the open air soon after taking it.

6. Be careful that the various agents in the prescription are not incompatible with each other, unless it be desired to form some new or particular compound. Chemical incompatibility, however, is by no means synony mous with therapeutic inertness; for experience tells us that certain unchemical compounds-perchloride of mercury and tincture of bark, gallic acid and tincture of opium, calomel and compound ipecacuanha powder, etc., are all valuable preparations in curing diseases.

7. Remember that if a disease be incurable, it may still admit of great alleviation. Hence, it is cruel to give up any case; although, at the same time, the patient is not to be deceived by false promises.

8. Never order, or sanction the use of, a quack medicine; that is, one the composition of which is kept a

secret.

9. Bearing in mind the weakness of human nature, as well as the prejudices and superstitions which are current, it is not only necessary to give good advice, but pains must be taken so to impress the patient and attendants that the necessary treatment may be thoroughly carried out. Hope and confidence are no mean remedial agents, and in many chronic diseases at least, the individual who has faith will recover more speedily, cæteris paribus, than he who is shy of belief.

10. Simply to prescribe drugs, without regulating the diet and general management of the patient, is to omit a most important duty. In acute diseases plain directions.

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