Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-05-25
For THE AMERICAN
Spotted Fever, or Gercbro spiunr
Mc2egitus.
BY DIR. c. Z. Up DE GRAFT.


As the above disease has visited this district
OF country for the first time, we understand, aud
there having been much comment upon il, il may
not be considered, under such circumstances
very much out Of tie way If the writer would
venture few lines, rather to the citizens than to
the profession of medicine. 1t may not be unin-
terestng To the uuintiated to know where first
seen, and where since, it has made its appear
auce.
1t may be considered comparatively n new dis
ease Cat least as an cpidemic), though ii has
been known, perhaps, as long as most other dis
eases. 1t has been known even as an epidemic as
early as the 18th and 14th centuries, in Europe
1t appeared in the United States IN 1906. Since
lSlS several epdemics of this disease have ap-
peared in the United States, in various parts Of
the country.
The disease is one of greater fatality for the
number of cases than any other, death occurring
in the majority of cases within three days. The
attack is sudden, and the symptoms, chills, fol-
lowed by dcllrium, perhaps cOnyulsipns, stupOr,
or exceeding senstiveness over the whole body,
and when the case recOyers it is not uncommon
to leave the patient blind or deaf
The pulse usually in the premonitary stage is
slow, but soon becomes rapid spots may occur
on any part of the body, rarely on the face they
vary in size, often an inch in diameter, and do
not disappear on pressure.
From the symptoms which usher in the dis
ease, they don't much differ from many other
forms of febric diseases. That it is somewhat
takably diagnose the disease and must wait for
the further development of symptoms.
Bat II the disease Is prevalent the physician
can have good reason to suspect, and may take
advantage of an early treatment.
1t may not be uninteresting TO the public at
this time, while the interest exists in relation to
this much talked of disease to give Il detail of a
case or two, that those who have never seen one
case, may have some idea of it,
The disease seems from microscopic eXamna-
IN Ia n 0F tb. Nnl
ing on It. There is beside Il great tendency to
Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, ana
the poSt-mortem reveals iuidity of the blood.
The lungs are often hypostatically congested,
and In the ma orlty OF cases there is found efu-
sion OF serum in the brain and spinal cord, and
1t is not uncommon to find serum in the percar-
dium tor heart case).
A case occurred in the PENNSYLVANIA hospital
in 1866. With this man, in the evening, there
seemed to be little the matter after ten O'Clock
at which time he became comatose, and so rest
less as to require constant attendance to confiue
him. On the following morning there appeared
several echymOsed spots. On the second day he
was found to be paralyzed on one side. He died
in 4S hours after admission 10 the hospital. Dis
section revealed etfusion in both lateral ventices
of the brain, and small quantity of puruloyd
matter. This case occurred nnder the treatment
OF j. w. Bates, NJ. ID.
Il case occurred under Doctor Dare, of Phila-
delphia, and which was brought iuto the hospi-
nosis was very obscure; thought it might be a
mild case of typhoid fever thought him more
lazy than sick. He died, and the brain was found
covered with a purulent matter, as was also the
spinal cord There was no marked paralysis
but only incapacity for exertion.
The inquiry is made every day: sis the dis
ease contagiousi' The answer, so far as my OBJ
servation goes, is no. This ia not entirely borne
out by the opinion of some very eminent mem
bers of the profession DR.. Dare of Philadelphia,
Z remarks: q
of the disease, many Incidents that look very
much In that direction" )" but would require too
much room for his views in an article like this.
! cadet was taken i'll after having examined a
number of cases. At first it resembled a case of
mslarial fever, headache, fever, &C. but it de-
yeloped itself as case of severe spinal mening-
titus, with fatal result. The prognosis in this
case is rather grave. The Doctor further re-
which recovered. In one the spots resembled
PuTpTiG henDlOrrgieG. The most striking char
aeterstics of the cases after death was the etlu-
sion of serum in the membranes of the brain,
and luidity of the blood. Death is usually the
result under any mode of treatment Stimu-
lants and tonics are usually prescribed. Opium
has been recommended on the oretical grounds.
| In the above case the physician prescribed
| In obedience TO the symptoms manifesting
themselves, which were as follows His face
| being tinged, injected onjunetiya, pulse
| bounding, bowels costivc, l gave a purgatiSe,
which acted with apparent benefit. met, in the
morning, medical friend and We both thought
, II resembled case of typhoid fever. Next
morning petecha extended ali over the body the