Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-12-02
SMALL POX.

The t0loWing description Oh the features
and symptoms Of the Small Por may be
interesting as well as useful at the present
time. Il is taken, to some extent, from
Brande's Dictionary of Science.
This disease is called Variola, from va
rious, changing colors; because it chan
ges and dlsfgurcs the skin. There are
two forms OF it, generally called by medi-
cal men the distinct and the confuenf; in
the former the pustules are distinct in the
latter they coalcsce. Distinct small pox
begins with the usual symptoms of inAam-
matory fever; that is, pains in the back and
loins, sickness, drowsiness, headache, pres
sure about the reg on Of the stoma CHI, and,
in infants, one or more epilcptic fits. A
bout the end of the Sd day little red spots,
much resembling tiea-b,es, make their ap.
pearance upon the face and head, which
spread during the 4th day over the breast,
body, and limbs; about 9Th day small cir
cular vesicle forms upon each little points,
depressed in The centre, surrounded by. an
inhamed margin, and containing colorless
fluid, and at this time the eruptve fever
disappears; about the 9th day the throat be-
comes sore and the saliva visc;d; about the
9Th day the face is swollen, and the pus-
tules round. prominent, and prevalent;a bout
the 1lth day the pus'ules attain their full
size, (nearly that Of pea, the matter
which they contain becomes Opaque and
yellow, and a da:k central spot appears on
each side; the swelling Of the face subsidies
and is transferred to the hands and feet,
and more or less secondary fever now en-.
sues. After this the pustules become
rough, break and scab over; and dark
brown spot remains for several days. If
the pustules have been large, an indenta-
ton is left: (pilted skin.) The remaining
symptoms now gradually subside; and
about the 17lh or 18th day the secondary
fever disappears.
The Confuent small por commences
W tn fever, of typhoid, rather than of
an inhammatory character; all the incipi-
ent symptoms are aggravated. Delirium
often attends them; in infants, there is d.
orrhUa, and in adults salvation. The
Eruption is very irregular in its progress
and appearance, and is usually preceded
by red patches upon the face, from which
the pustues EN- rge on the second day, in
the form Of clusters, somewhat resembling
measles. Their progress is rapid; but in
stead Of being circular and we'll defined they
are fat and irregular in shape, and contain
a brownish fluid, very unlike the usual dis
charge from sores caused by wounds. The
intermediate spaces between the clusters,
are generally pale and laccid. The swell
ling OF the face and the discharge q saliva
are greater thar in the other kind. The
fever does not cease upon the appearance
of the eruption, but, about the 9th day, il
generally becomes aggravated, the erup
ton livd, and accompanied by purple spots;
and, about the 1lth day from the cons
mencement of the disease it often termi.
mates fatally.
This disease is in both kinds, the effe ct
Of specific contagion; and is produced by
contact with those infected, by exposure to
the eff1uvia ofthe disease,o by incubation,
Except in the case Of incubation, it is call
ed natural small pox. When the distinct
small pox goes regularly through the sta
ges above described, it is rarely dangerous,
except from mismanagemeni, but very Of
len leaves tendency TO inhammatory dis
orders, and in scrofulous habit 1t excites
that disorder into activity. Any Of the
symptoms above described, as characteri-
zing continent small pox, are alarming so
is sudden disappearance of The eruption,
or change in the appearance, followed by
depression or delirium. In treating the
distinct small pox,the febriIe symptoms are
TO be moderated by cool air, saline or mild
acid, and dilu,ing drinks, and gentle aper-
tents. Bleeding and purging are, in al
most all cases, TO be avoided. Great irri-
liability may be allayed by small doses of
opium and camphor, or which is prelera
BILE, by muriate Of mor7hia. This will al
so check diarrhoea, should it supervene.
The continent folm generally requires
more or less Of the treatment which is a.
dopted in low or putrid fever. Obs tinate
vomiting, which is sometimes an alarming
symptom, is best encountered by the saline
draught taken in the act Of efervescence,
with few grains of aromatic confection,
and few drops of the ,ncture Of opium.
Previous to the year 1921, the disease
above described had long been regarded
as one Of tine most fearful scourges Of the
civilized world. 1t was then discovered
that incubation was of vast advantage in
lessening the violence or the disease; and
in giving the subject opportunity 10 an.ici-