Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-23
tOgMUNICATED.
Scarlet Fever.--BY ;. l.. JoHN.UN Nh

tOxMuNICATED.
Scarlet Fever.--BY ;. b. JOHNSON ND
This disease is known in medical language
by the term Scsrlatina, and as distinct yarie-
ties occur 10 different su' ects, it is divided
int Scarlatina sampler, Scarlatira angtLoRg
and Scarlatina matiHid. The first variety i.
simple scarlet fever, and scarcely interrupts
the patients health for day. The second
is the variety in which the mouth and thros,
are seriously affected and keeps the patient
suspended between life and death from one
or two, to six weeks. The third, is msl;,-
nans scarlet fever, which affects the perrous
system in very powerful manner, frequent.
ly resulting in the death of the patient in
nine hours frcm its commencement. All
three Of these varieties, arise from the same
cause, and the most yirulent can be comm.
nicated by the mildest FORM The varieties
are well marked in some cases, but NOT in
all, for the latter two ctten blend inseps;bIv
into each other
1t is disease Of childhood more freouent.
ly, Though persons Of ell ages are su.sert-
BILE TO it, and rarely occurs In the same sub.
Ject twice 1t begins with fever, accompan.
led with an exceedingly quick pulse. nausea.
vomiting, and prostration Of she whole sys
tenn. liz short time tue distress about tho
throat is feit, and goes on 10 increase or de.
crease according to the severity Of the case
The scarlet hue Of the skin appears in tho
most favorable cases on the second dav ra-
mains until the fourth, then begins 10 de.
cline, and disappears about the seventh dav.
after which time the old skin falls off IN
scales.
The above is but synopsis Of the disease
and as each case is modified by the peculiar
characteristics Of the subject cf it, there i,
almost 10 infinite variety Of shades of the
malady, and although the cardinal features
are alike, no two cases are identical in their
course; for changes are constantly occurring
and unlocked for symptoms arise, denorjhg
unanticipated complications
Scarlet Fever is beyond doubt contagious
and the poison which produces the disease il
very subtle and adhesive. Ii ciings TO apart
ments, clothing, and furniture, for long
time, Notwithstanding much care, NAV have
been taken to treshen aud purify them: and
the cOntagou will Turk in the clothes Of nur.
ses for many weeks, and 10 this way be con-
yeyed for hundreds cf miles.
The frequent fatality of scarlet fever rem.
ders it the most terrible disease which enters
the nursery, and as It's poison operates with
the qulckness OF the most deadly plague, it is
lot at all strange that the keenest solicltuie Of
parents should be elected concerning il. and
that they should be exceedingly anxious 70
know "ahether or not medical science has
yet produced treatment which can be lust
ly called cuje!" IL has not. As it is im-
possible for the finite powers OF man to zee,
smell, taste or touch, the specific poison thas
gives rise TO it, be will ever remain ignorant
Of its true nature, and the disease will al
ways be looked upon as one Of the approbria
of medicine.
The simple form Of this maIady needs no
treatment by medicine, and only proves fatal
through the ignorance Of the medical atten-
dant or the Ofhciousness of the nurse. The
third, or malignant form, nothing can inter-
rupt IN its progress, for the victim Of it SUI
fers transition from apparent health to the
very jaws Of death in few hours, and the
vital powers are 80 subdued that it is impos-
elOIt lUG the uleulCdi httcHuHuE 10 give even
a momentary relief, and he has but to watch
his little patient breathe bis last, and Sigh
that science is so impotent to combat this
form Of the malsdy, over which the wisdom
Of his books does not pretend to claim tbs
slightest control.
The second variety is between the mild
aud malignant. Under judicious manage
ment, and after much suffering, many little
patients recover. When the subjects Of this
form die, it is generally from complications.
and modification # the mucous membraus
Of the mouth and throat Conya!escence In
tractable cases IS slow asnd tedious and
patient cannot be considered entirely cut Of
danger until after the sixth week, for the
slightest exposure to cold, or damp air is
Sufficient to give rise to inflammation Of the
various organs Of the body, which may re-
suit 10 lingering disease, or speedy death.
Alexandra, June Dist, 1858