The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-10-06

VIZ publish below for the benefit OF
q those residing in country parts, where no
professional medical man can be consulted,
a short but plain description Of the symp-
toms and treatment of .ScnrlatiRd, now an
epidemic on these Islands, which will
no doubt be valuable to those who have
the misfortune to be attacked with the
disease, either in their own person or FAM
lily. In this connection we are desired by
the Board of Health to say, as has been
often announced that medicines will be
supplied to responsible persons for graf
uitious distribution to their poor and des-
titute neighbors, on application made to
their Secretary.
This disease commences with fever,
chills, headache, and sore throat. One
or two days after the appearance of the
above symptoms, an eruption or rash
breaks out on the neck and breast which
spreads to other parts of the body. The
system feels oppressed and the skin is
nervous and irritable. After some days,
the skin commences to crack and peel off
from the parts on which the rash first ap-
peared, and from other parts of the body.
Sometimes the old skin from the palms of
the hands and the soles of the feet, peels
off. When the skin commences to crack,
the sore throat abates, or disappears alto
gether aud in about two weeks the dis
ease is over.
Such are the symptoms, and the course
Of the disease from its commencement to
the end. This disease is now among us,
and probably some will fear it, but there is
no reason to apprebend great danger from
it unless its symptoms are disregarded and
improper treatment followed; in which
case, the sore throat becomes aggravated,
and the stomach and lungs affected, and
the patient will die Of inability TO swallow,
consumption, or dropsy. Some forms of
this disease are fatal, but the one among
us is mild, and little danger need. be appre-
hended from it, if proper care is taken.
BATHING IN COLD WATER AND SITTING IN
CURRENTS OF AIR MUST BE AVOIDED, AND
TIE PATIENT SHOULD BE CONFINED TO A
ROOM. IF the patient is cOnstipated
mild pill, castor oil, or salts should be
taken, and if the throat is very trouble
some, a gargle of vinegar and syrup should
be used. For the first few days of the
fever, putting the feet in warm water once
a day will be beneficial, but the caution
against cold water bathing and currents of
air, cannot be too carefully enforced.
His Excellency the Minister of the In
terror has recently visited the Island of
Maui where the ScGIaina seems to be
more prevalent than in any other part of
the kingdom, and has given the people
there, the benefit of his professional advice
in the treatment Of the disease. 1t is to
be remarked that on the plantations,
where natives who have been attacked,
have been under the care and supervision
of their employers, not fatal case has oc-
CURED, so far as we have been able to learn.
Those who have to care for themselves,
have been more unfortunate, though great
pains haveibeentaken SO far as possible, to
instruct them as TO the treatment Of the
disease. However much it is to be re-
GREETED that cases prove fatal for want of
proper treatment, no one can be held re-
sponsibIe bot themselves, when people viii
not follow the most simple directions
plainly and carefully given to them.