The hectic of nurses, chiefly from debility. See Lactatio. It is characterized by every symptom of weakness in the animal and vital functions, to which evening exacerbations and morning sweats succeed, even when there is no peculiar affection of the lungs. Indeed the lungs are apparently never affected, unless there is a constitutional predisposition to phthisis. In this disease, the bark and mineral acids, where no pulmonic affection exists, and Griffith's mixture, with myrrh and steel, when such is suspected, are the best remedies. If decided hectic symptoms come on, the disease must be treated as a true Phthisis, q. v.

Weaning is often essentially necessary; but we have in general found it more useful first to try whether lessening the quantity of milk which the child takes will not succeed. Even where hectic symptoms have come on, we have thought moderate suckling rather advantageous than hurtful. Much, however, must depend on the mother's health, on that of the child, and many minute circumstances which it is impossible to detail.

See Fothergill in the Medical Observations, vol. v.; and Walker on the Memoirs of the Medical Society.