Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-05-16
A New Form OF Dicease--Its 1en-
wages, Symptoms, and Proper
Trcufrncuf ..t.,

For many weeks, an alarm, in many cases
quite unnecessary, has existed in different
parts OF the city and suburbs respecting a
disease, since named the spotted Fever"
The approach of disease in any shape ii
sufficiently hidcous, even though the medi-
cal books and the physicians knowledge
place it definitely among that class, tho
treatment for which has the sanction of
ages. 1t is consoling even to the sick man
to know that his complaint is understood,
and that there can be no mistake in its
character, or confusion in the remedies to
be applied. Materia medica in our day
anil generation has so far advanced to per.
lection that the dying patient cannot leave
our world with reproach of science on his
lips. Occasionally, however, the theories
of the men of science are batfied and bewil-
dercd by new Developments Of those ilis
that the human flesh is heir to. One such
has just presented itself, but, happily for
those who yet expect to see many moro
years of terrestrial Joy, this new disease has
been confronted by the medical men, and
successfully treated. An eminent physician
of this city informs us that the disease
which ut first broke out as an epidemic is
now on the wane, and the cases Of death
are now so few as to cause no greater
anxiety than the usual ailments known to
every household.
The disease was entirely unknown in
this part of the country. 1t is said to bo
similar to the spotted fever which prevailed
in New England between the years 1903
and 1918. The name spotted fever" at
taches to it for the present in consequence
Of the similarity 1t attacks persons of all
the young, from fifteen to twenty-five years
Ot 10 tal
a chill, which is generally preceded by
uncomfortable feelings for a few hours.
The chill is followed by ain intense headache,
pain in the back of the neck, passing down
the spine, and fever. In about twenty-four
hours an eruption, in reddish spots, appears
beneath the skin, causing however, no eleva-
ton. 1t consists of little points Of blood
varying in size from q pins head to quar-
ter of an inch, and sometimes larger. Tho
eruption was found to DC precisely similar
to spots found in the interior Of a body
examined at Manayunk some ten days ago.
If the patient is suffering from severe
attack he generally becomes delirious, and
often becomes perfectly insensible. When
death takes place, it occurs in from twelve
hours to four days. If the disease lasts for
a few days the patient RECEIVERS. The treat
ment which has thus far been successful is
this: Avoid blood-letting; put the patient
on stimulants, such d brandy, wine, or
whisky also give qssnine freely, and apply
to the back of the neck ana down the limbs
mustard poultlces. Keep up external warmth,
promote perspiration, and make cooling
applications to the head. y
Upon examination after death, it is quito
evident, from the presence of the spots in
the interior of the body being similar to
those on the exterior, as well us on account
of the dissolving condition of the blood,
that it is strictly blood disctse, and ought
to be trerted accordingly. There is no
reason whatever to suppose that it springs
from infected rags, as has been charged,
and the best evidence of this is its simuta-
neous appearance in various parts Of tine
country. philadelphia P'esS.