Holly Springs gazette., 1844-03-16
SCARLET FEVER.

SCARLET FEVER.
We have been requested to publish the
annexed communication, taken from the
"Charleston Mercury" OF the efficacy of
the remedies suggested, we Of course can
say nothing authoritatively. But this we
do know, that this dreadful scourge Scarlet
Fever, is now raging throughout the coun-
try, and in some places, with great mor;ali-
ty. The great danger to be apprehended is
suffering the disease to progress, without I'M
media:elv taking hold of it, at It's inception.
When fairly under way, there is no disease
at which Medical men are more apt to be
at fault than this it too often combats sue
cessively the most experienced skill, and un-
renting attention. This all the faculty
(Im2yrics excepted) freely acknowledge.
The symptoms are distinctive, and at once
recognzed-sore throat swelled tongue, eT-
tremsIy excited state Of fever, and the blush
of the skin resembling perhaps more than
am thing else, boiled lobster. Drastic
and active medicines are to be avoided, and
medical aid obtained as soon as practicable
From ;he Charleston Mercury.
ST HELENA, Feb. 8. 1914.
Dear Sir-Beiieving it to be duty high
ly incumbent on me to give publicity to the
treatment found most speedy and efiectual
in the cure of that most awful complaint the
Scarlet Fever, 1 have taken the Liberty TO
beg you to give it place 10 your valuable
paper. The manner, or the way II was
brought into my family, | am at loss to ac-
count for.
About the 18th of January. several of my
negroes we're taken with a violent sore
throat, pain intAe head and fever swelling
of the glands of the neck, and behind the
ear. | then did not know what the disease
was and from its rapid progress to termina
tion, 1t caused me to be much alarmed; on
the first day it was a simple sore throat; 10
twelve hours after the sore throat commen-
ced, there was pain In the head and before
twenty hours, hot fever aud swelling of the
glands and neck almost 10 sufocation. |
had but little medicine on the plantation,
with the exception of JaL1p, of this gave
large doses; It's effect was astonishing, at
tacking the disease at every pore, and in two
or three days effecting cure; the dose was
repeated every day until the cure was effect |
ed. Strong red pepper tea was given In the
interval (at night ard sometimes through !
out the day) from tea cup full to pint, ac-
cording TO age; this was given for the sore
throat did not know what the disease was
until it got in my family, when it then shew-
ed itself by the Scarlet eruPtions making
their appearance, which could not be seen
on the negroes. With my children, as soon
as they complained of the sore throat, gave
them full dose of Jalap; and had no fur
lher trouble with it. as the disease was stop
ped there, and never went further; the next
day gave a small dose to prevent the return !
of which | was afraid. From this simple |
treatment the disease yielded SO readily. |
that considered j; trifling complaint, and |
started for Charleston. telling Mrs. Chaplin, !
If any of the other children were attacked !
with it, to pursue the same treatment. In |
my absence. my two youngest children were
attacked with it; the symptoms being rather |
more violent. she sent for the doctor, who
came and gave an emetic; their thFoats be- !
gan to swell much; after the operation of
the emetic, calomsl was given, which rapid |
ly increased the disease, nearly to suttoca- I
ton, dreadful sore mouth, with great diff |
Guilty of swallowing. When | returned /
home L found them in this state, with two
doctors attending them. | got all the medl /
cal aid could procure, it was too late, they 1
died and were buried in the same coffin. /
After my return, there were eight children |
(some boarding with me) taken with the dis
ease; on the first symptoms, L gave .Jalsp. |
ard repeated in small doses the next day, |
with red pepper tea; at the end of three days
they were out playing about the yard; in a
few cases gave salts the next day, where
the symptoms were not violent Out of
thirty-four cases where administered the
Jalap. not one remained in bed more than
one day.
Directions. .-Immediately on the first
symptoms, which is sore throat. give full
lose of Jalap, to an adult 60 or 20 or even
30 grains; at night give strong red pepper
ea from tea cup full to a pint according
o the age of the parent and the violence Of I
he symptoms; the next day give small ,
lose of Jalap. say half the quantity given I
he dav before, continue the pepper at night: I
IN the third day. if there is any soreness re- |
in the throat. give dose of salts. a
which generally effect a cure; the doses |
must of course be regulated according to the |
ge of the patient
Thus my dear Sir. have endeavored to
i've you the history and treatment-the
reatment | found (through the blessing of