PART 3
It is well when the patient is found by his physician reclining upon
either his right or his left side, having his hands, neck, and legs
slightly bent, and the whole body lying in a relaxed state, for thus
the most of persons in health recline, and these are the best of postures
which most resemble those of healthy persons. But to lie upon one's
back, with the hands, neck, and the legs extended, is far less favorable.
And if the patient incline forward, and sink down to the foot of the
bed, it is a still more dangerous symptom; but if he be found with
his feet naked and not sufficiently warm, and the hands, neck, and
legs tossed about in a disorderly manner and naked, it is bad, for
it indicates aberration of intellect. It is a deadly symptom, also,
when the patient sleeps constantly with his mouth open, having his
legs strongly bent and plaited together, while he lies upon his back;
and to lie upon one's belly, when not habitual to the patient to sleep
thus while in good health, indicates delirium, or pain in the abdominal
regions. And for the patient to wish to sit erect at the acme of a
disease is a bad symptom in all acute diseases, but particularly so
in pneumonia. To grind the teeth in fevers, when such has not been
the custom of the patient from childhood, indicates madness and death,
both which dangers are to be announced beforehand as likely to happen;
and if a person in delirium do this it is a very deadly symptom. And
if the patient had an ulcer previously, or if one has occurred in
the course of the disease, it is to be observed; for if the man be
about to die the sore will become livid and dry, or yellow and dry
before death.
