It  is  uncertain  how  long  the  patient  may  remain  in  this  state  of  slight
indisposition,  for  the  duration  of  these  mild  cases  is  measured  not  by
days,  but  by  weeks.  I  have  seen  more  than  one  person  continue  to
pursue  his  avocations  feebly,  but  uninterruptedly,  for  ten  days  or  a
fortnight  in  the  circumstances  just  described.  At  last  a  marked  aggra-
vation will  take  place,  or  a  gradually  increasing  degree  of  oppression
will  overcome  him.  There  will  be  more  pronounced  heat  of  skin  and
excitement  of  circulation;  the  headache  is  severe,  and  is  attended  with
spinal  and  muscular  pains;  there  is  great  thirst,  and  the  bowels  suffer
griping  and  irritation,  diarrhoea  very  generally  supervening  in  the
second  or  third  week.  The  sleep  is  disturbed  and  the  patient  seems
drowsy,  with  more  or  less  mental  wandering;  in  some  cases,  however,
the  mind  continues  clear  to  the  very  last  stage.
