The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-02-22
6anfufh 9sf(trsoniall.
FINDLAY, OHIO,
Friday, :::: /: :: February 20, 1851.
Diptheria, Black Tongue, Putrid Sore
Throat, Scarlet Fever, &c.
by A PHYSICIAN,

Simple casually known rs Scarlet Rssh,)
scarcely 10 be called O disease. and ofte
prevails extensively, requiring but lttl
medical attention, though occasionally fol
lowed by dropslcal symptoms or other evi
denoes OF serious arrangement of the kid
neys. The frequency and severity Of tn
dropsical sequel OF Scarlet Fever IS not il
proportion to the severity of the case--mll
cases being as apt 10 be followed by sue
symptoms as those OF more severity. Vienna
here remark that a large majority OF cases Q
slandulor degeneration of the kidneys, o
Brights disease, are traceable to Scarletina
as the originating cause. This is not at al
wonderful. when we reflect that desquama
ton or sealing occurs from all the surface
lining the urinary passages, even in the yes
sells ramifying through the kidneys anC
also that albumen in large quantities IS usu
ally thrown of by persons recovering fIon
Scarlet Fever; and analysis shows that tht
urine is often deficient in urea. Hence we
have long been convinced that the tendenc,
to dellrium, coma. and convulsions, as well
as great nervous irritability. so frequent In
the latter stages Of Scarlet Fever, often re-
suit in part from the effects of accuma ated
urea upon the brain; and this view is SUI
ported by the relief that Is obtained from
Colchicum, TO which we often resort when
the obstructed breathing and return Of blood
from the head appear inadequate 10 sccou Mt
for the cerebral symptoms. This, with cup .
ping TO the spine, over the region OF the
kidneys, often affords relief where the urine
has been several days deficient in urea,
loaded with albumen
These are questions, however. Of but lit.
tie interest to the non med ical reader This
form Of Scarlet Fever requires only care in
the diet, and TO avoid taking cold. But the
dFopsical sequels should BE promptly placed
in the hands of the family Physician.
ScARLkTtS, AuGxsos,. - In thus variety
the fever is more severe. usually Of a highly
lnhamma.ory grade. The affection OF The
throat. though often severe. does not par'akc
of that malignant character which marks
the throat affection when complicated by
the presence OF the TJphus or Erysipelas
poison. Epid-mlcS Of this character may be
known by tie severity OF the fever AMI ITS
persistent Character, the severe swelling aud
inflammation o! the throat, bright red color
of .he surface about the palate, &c. These
cases bea! a more decidedly reducing treat.
menE mia course oi mrrcuEaI Alternatives,
the lHdicIons use Of NeIatrum, Aconttr, or
Ant'n.ony, cold spOnstnG # the snrface is
vrfY hot, cold water 10 the head, and de
clded counter iryliation to the throat. OF
ihe iever.reduc'ns agents, we deem the
Nnclufe OF Aconite Root the best 10 the
throat ScaufCailon or warm VINEGAR and
water and Red Pepper Tea are good. We
think the frequent use OF warm vapor from
hot water in common teapot, as good as
Anything II the patient is old enough to uae
II.
This form of the disease is very rare in
this part Of the country, the Scarlet poison
being almost always complicated with that
producing Dipth ria OF that producing Pa.
trId Sore Throat. though we must expect
every grnde OF the disease, from that compl.
catel with the purely non mali snant throat
grade, TO those malignant and putrid forms
which tend rapidly to deep-seated abscess,
Of the soft parts or mort iicaton.
ScsRLxriN, MALIGNA.-This Is Sc carlet Fe.
y.r ,utt Dnt
bination appears to add new life TO both
these forms Of the disease, the combination
constituting one Of the most hOrTid forms oi
disease 70 which human fesh is heir, at
least in our country. This form of the dis.
ease appears sometimes to enter the 6eld
with conquerng majesty that crushes the
vital forces OF the system at the very onset.
To use homely expression. the patient
seems death-struch from the very first. In
these cases the only hope isln the most pow
eEful tonic and stimulating course until the
reaction Of the vital forces. The Augcnesa
form of the disease usually commences with
a chill the Malignant with vomiting and
pufging. The surface has blush tinse or
a dsrkred or mOtted appearance; the breat h
is very offensive burning heat OF the sur.
face at first quite intense, often giving way,
however, 10 a cold. clammy surface lust be e
fore a fatal termination. The throat affect
ion has all the malignancy and characteris-
ties Of Putid Sore Throat. The burning of
the skin and great heat are best relieved by
oillng the surface thoroughly. This should
be removed every day with soap and tepid
water, rs'applied if necessary.
This is phlosophc, but we will not stop
to argue it, only adding that the Greeks
prachced It at an early day, according to the
author CELSIUS. The relief is often almos,
like magic, the restless sufferer in a few
moments falling into a quiet slumber,--
Tonic and antiseptic treatment (the same a,
recommended for Putrid Sore Throat.) ia I,
be adopted, and with energy proportioned d tc
the severity of the case; and in addition,
keep the system slightly undert the influence
OF Aconite, which, we are convinced, exerts
a specific modifying power over the scarlet
poison, or probably only keeps down ner
vous irrilabiiity, by rendering the brain an
nervous system more tolerant of the poison.
circulating through them.
We should bear IN mind. however, tha'
We must not expect TO force Scarlet Fever tt
sudden termination, as we always try tt
do in PutIid Sore Throat. When the Scar
let poison is present. the disease has il
stages to run through. and no earthly powe
can safely prevent il; so we must be csrefu
about too much effort to control fever. DC
giving time for its regular development an,
decline.
When the EIysipelas Inflammation of IN
throst occurs alone. we may safely pursue
bolder course in our efforts 10 break no th