The National Register.
London, England, 1816-04-01 00:00:00

VOtbicai Ql)onitor.
NUMBER VII.

LIMN POPULI SUCREMA F.S:T LTA..

SCARLET FEVER.

j

'SEVERAL instances of scarlet fever have presented
'ltem:elves to notice, chiefly occurring among children,
although, in one tinnily, the mother appears to have
taken this complaint by nursing her little patients. The
character of this disease varies-much in different seasons ;
sometimes it is accompanied by sal the symptoms of ma-
lignity, and hurries on rapidly to a, fatal termination.
The ulcerations of the throat become gangrenous, and
the febrile affection of the general system puts on the ap-
pearance of a low or putrid fever, as it has been called,
and the patient requires the prompt exhibition of tonics
and cordials to support the sinking frame. At other
times the sore throat seems to put on more of an inflam-
atatory character, and the attendant fever to be one of
itnerea.sed action,, and more vigorous excitement, in which
the depleting system of bleeding and other evacuations is
tondly called for. What arc the peculiar circumstances
which determine these opposite states of the same com-
plaint, cannot be clearly ascertained ; but they frequently
seem, to operate through several successive seasons. Dar-
eng the present winter, the disease has, in general, pos.
eesstil a mild character, and the deaths, from this com-
plaint, have been proportionably few. Some difference
et: opp.jn seems to have prevailed among the public,
whc-
tlterthe human system is liable to be repeatedly attacked
with this affection ; or whether, like the smail-pox, its
effects on the constitution protect it from future invasion.
it map, with- witch, be asserted, tha, in commit with
ernall-pox, and other eruptive diseases of the same kind,
*poesesses, in general, the power of attacking the system
@nee only.; but this law admits of setae exceptions : the
etnall-pox, is occasionally found to occur a second time in
ehe same person, and the instances of the scarlet fever
Juin'? .. so may be rather more frequent. In the latter (Es-
ea.se rt is probable, that after a person has once passed
eltrougb. it, any subsequent attack will be of a mild de-
:ler:prim Children arc, at all times, more susceptible of
the disease than adults, and considerable precautions arc
eequieite,. to prevent its entirely running through, a fa-
mfly,, when one of its memhers.has been. seized with it.
Nothing less than complete scparatiorefrom, and avoid-
ing all intercourse with the patient, will be sufficient to
prefect those not already affected, and this sort of qua-
*Mine must be. extended to a temsiderable period, for
the. Dower of communicating infection resides a long tine
41 the convalescent. Until the whole of the cuticle, which
always }ldle off ie scales after abis fever, is completely de-
teehed, any approach.may be-considered hazardous. Even
aloe pert concerted measures will free ently fail of restrict-
ing the disease to a single individual in a tinnily; the in-
tction may probably be communicated from one child to
1.416411er by exhahition from, the lungs, before the chum-
%teethe disease is clearly ascertained. Were a• patient
m be seen, by a. skilful practitioner, in its earliest periml
of illoess, it would not always be possible to determine
the precise nature of the disease, so similar in their first
'cot & ere all fevers of the eruptive class. One advan-
asge,. however, it is generally in our power to obtain ; if
we cannot prevent the communication of the fever, we
eioy put the subjeei of its threatened steel into a. state
pest adapted for its fits ourable progress. An emetic, a
fettle dose of physic, a proper regulation of diet, a cool-
ing regimen, an avoidance of unnecessary heat and irri-
tation, will much ameliorate the symptoms of the fever
When it. comes ; and these are precautions which can
ways be employed, when arpearanees are. suspicious, by
Owe at least in ewer circumstances : for among the poor,
't. too often happens, that for want of adequate means,
tevcrs of a contagious character are freely left to their own
unopposed meows. Often do we find, that a whole fa-
(Idly sleeps in the same apartment, three or four children:!
tie a bed, entirely eetangers to the lueury of clean
iterhain ate old dirty blanket their only covering. We
not only view the introduction of contagion into such
thmily, with the pity and cammieeration which the poor
little sufferers are entitled to receive from every humane
person, but with dread and.apprehension lest a focus of
.I.:doct ion should be formed, whence it may be eflsseminated,
eitel brought iuto.our own homes, and among our own
children. Nor ate our fears entirely groundless, fins in-
ited this is very frequently the case ; oftentimes may
Ole origin of an infectious fever be trated to seine blind
spurt or herrow alley in this crowded metropolis, which,
toy a regular chain of eampiunication, aud through the
menus. of unavoldttbk peremal intercotazse, reaches at
length the lefty and eleeatie mansion. The knowledge
ef this fete should operate oe the affluent andwealthy as
ap inducement to bestow that- assistance on. thieecore of
self-p reaeleettione which disinterested ahmity alone, per-.
bap, rakeht plead fiir in vain, Ste cotmected are the
ti-rent elassee of 90Ciety, and so necessary is the assistanae
ach to sift, that the comfort snit' welfare of one can,
.mover be emlnhiJ,...red us a matter of indidieence. to the
other. The munificence of the rich, in r. tea cases, is ante
ply rewarded by the grateful returns of the poor, by the
a:creased security from persenel danger, and still more,
Ise the internal satisfaction which never fails to attend
tube consciousness of a duty well performed. G.