The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-05-11

toms run still higher and the disease IL alarm.
ingly dangerous from its commencement In
some instances there is an acrid discharge
from the nostrils or ears, often accompanied
Win DEAFNESS, MS also enlargement of the
glands IN the neck, followed by the formation
OF abscesses in their immediate neighborhood.
and very frequently the nostrils are complete
iy closed with mucus matter, rendering the
breathing extremely laborious. It is neces-
sary Tor me, however, To defer following the
symptoms Of scarlet fever more fully. as all
that has been attempted in this condensed ar.
ticle has been so to sketch out the more prom
lnent dlagnostic symptoms Of this disease
That the directions upon the paternal manage
ment may be readily comprehended, they will
De very bnef, but a strict attention thereto
will be found all important TO the well doing
and comfort of the poor little sufferers.
Maternal Management. The chief points to
which the parents attention must be directed
irrespective Of a strict attention to the more
immediate medical treatment directed by the
physician IN attendance are the following:
Ventilation Of he Bed-room.-Evan in the
mildest cases the child must be kept in bed
from the first accession of the fever. II
must not he loaded, however as was formerly
the practice, with a quantity Of bed clothes
IN order TO encourage the fever and increase
the quantity Of eruption. moderate quan-
tity of clothing is all that is required adapted
to the heat OF skin and feelings of the pa
tent. The bedroom must be kept cool and
well ventilated. This is of importance in the
mildest cases; but Ill the more severe forms Of
this disease in which the throat is much af-
fected, the constant and free admission of pure
air will have n most decided and marked good
effect upon the symptoms. The air should be
renewed, therefore, from time to time. The
linen, both of the bed and the patient should
also be frequently changed--duily If possible.
, However mild the symptoms of this disease
may bc Mt the commencement, a careful and
NIgIiant watChfulneSs is necessary. lest intlam-
nation Of some internal organ suddenly arises
(generaly indicated by symptoms sufficiently
obv ious) and thus change an apparently mild
form Of this disease into one Of an alarming
character.
Cold SpOngiRg. the skin is pun
gently hot and dry, the whole surface of the
body should be sponged with cold water or
with vinegar and water. The heat is by this
means rapidly abstracted and the child re-
frcshed; and this may again and again be re-
sorted TO as the heat again returns. BY this
application alone, in cases that have come un-
der my notice, the pulse has been diminished
in frequency, the thirst has abated, the tongue
has become moist, general free perspiration
has broken forth, the skin has become soft
and cool, and the eyes have brightened and
these indications OF relief have been speedily
followed 10y calm and reposing sleep. The
morbid heat II is true, when thus removed, is
liable 10 return, and with it the distressing
symptoms; but repetition of the remedy is
followed by the same beneficial effects as at
first.
GGrg'S-Whcn the throat is affected gar
giles sometimes ordered, anl are useful,
hut the pain and Inconvenience which their
/ employment give rise To, frequently prccludes
| their use, and children seldom understand
| bow TO employ them, even If the state of the
. a.. al. 1t -
! the mother tn be early affected, an immediate
application To the medical adviser is espe.
cally important, for if he be called upon "a
treat this form Of scarlet fever nt its very com.
mencemcnt by judicious treatment, the du'
ration and violence of the disease may be both
shortened and greatly mitigated.
Regimen.-Coolng drinks, plain ice wa
ter, toast and water, barley water favored
! with lemon peel, fresh whey, lemonade and
thin Cruel. may all be rcsorted to in their turn
oranges, grapes, or lemons sweetened with su
gar may also he allowed, particularly when
the mouth is foul and dry, but care must bC
taken that neither the pulp nor the stones bt
| swallowed. These will both refresh and feed
the patient as much as is necessary until til,
decline of the disease. The parents mus
strictly forbid the attendants in the sick cham
bcr giving at this period, any heating ol
stimulating fluid, as also animal food, ant
this Injunction must be strictly regarded, ever
in the mldest form of the disease.
Courd,csccncc. When the child is GONZALES
cent. mild nourishment will be required, sucl
as aTTowroot, tapioca, chicken or muttoI
broth. beeftea, jcllies and roastedapplcs, anC
by and by mutton chop. Wine is seldom
necessary except under circumstances OF un
usual debility after protrncted illness, wheI
its moderate use tends much to assist the con
valescence; but if given unadvsedly, there vii
be great hazard of exciting internal intiamma
tory disease. Rclapses arc sometimes causet
by the child getting about too soon, and by IN
dulgonco Of the appetite, particularly Wit
strong food. A proper degree Of restraint
therefore, must be placed upon the child b.
the parent who cannot too strictly carry on
, the directions OF the medical attendant upol
the diet and regimen during this period
Even when scarlet fever has been of the mild
{ est form parent cannot observe too muc
. care and caution during the period Of cor
, vnlescencc.
, One of the most common and serious
, the nfter-disorders Of this fever is dropsy;
disease much more frequent, as far as my e1
perience goes, after mild than after sever
, attack Of scarlet fever. / have observed .h
in two cases, when | was called in consult
ton with DIR. Meigs. This, in all probabilit!
. is owing to neglect at this period, for l hay
a generally been able To trace the source OF I'll
dropsy i'm cases which have seen TO some n
cidenta or needless exposure OF the child to
1 cold or damp atmosphere.
a Peeiing oG Of he Cuticte and Falling cf I
!. The Hrir.-To promote the moro easy scpar
:. ton Of the culiclo from the surface OF Il
body, a warm or tepid bath may bo useful
n employed at the close Of the disease. IL vii
? moreover greatly contribute to the comfort
!. tho child. and induce moro healthy cond
;. ton Of the skin; occasionally, the cuticle