The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-12-12
EpidcmIcs Among children.

The other day, sGyaa lady In an ex.
change, We listened to a very interesting
lecture Onthis subject given BY a member
Of the medical profession, and took
notes Of portions Of It for the benefit Of
our readers.
The three epldemics spoken Of were
measles, scarlet fever and smallpox. In
repeating what the physician stated we
shall say nothing about tho treatment Of
these diseases, leaving that 10 be deter:
mined by each reader for himself, and
only mention points interesting alike to
all. H.. ~ .Ht6s auH
A child affected with measles appears
10 have q severe cold in the head; It's
eyes are red and very sensitive TO the
light; It's face Is swollen, aud on the third
day the eruption appears on the face In
blotches Of acrescent or horseshoe shape,
which spread and cover the surface q
the body. When the finger Is pressed
firmly on these red blotoheS tho redress
does not 90 away. ..,e.a.. - =,
Scarlet fever generally begins with
nausea, followed BY pain in the limbs
and sore throat; the face is not swollen
and the eyes are not very sensitive 70 the
light. Oh the second day the rash ap.:
pears, first on the face in small points Of
vivid red, which becomes ditiuaed and
spread over the entire body. The tongue
Is very white with blood.red spots ap-
bearing above the iurred surface. II a
I,encil or the finger Is pressed firmly on
The skin the reduces will give place for 9
time, leaving the skin white where the
pressure was exerted, and then the scar
iet returns. On the fifth day the rash
turns brown and the akin is very dry.
This Is the dangerous time, since the
akin being unable to perform It's func.
lions, the Kidneys and lungs have double
work to do. AT this stage Of the illness
tue foundation Ia often laid for BrightG
disease Of the kidneys, and everything
depends upon keeping tho skin soft and
moist. This can be done by oiling Il
freely with salad oil, with pure lard, with
unsalted butter, or what Ia mosi
agreeable OF all, with glycerine and rose
water, two parts Of the former TO one o.
tho latter. In England the favorite treat
ment ia toimmerse the patient in warn
bath, which 10 repeated frequently
The symptoms Of smallpox are, first
q chill, then violent nausea, pain in th'
head, and aching In the bones. On TIT
third day the eruption appears on thu
forehead and about the face in scattered
pimples that feel when the finger Il
I,a.sed over them as though bead OF
the head Of a pin were imbeded in TIL
skin. Z
Measles require treatment 80 simple
that any intelligent mother should be
able to take her child safely through 1t
The symptoms Of scarlet fever and Q
smallpox are so pronounced that they
are not likely to be mistaken. The frs
thing to be done Is to quarantine the pa
tient, SO as to prevent the infection from
: spreading. This can be successfully don
. by placing him In top room Of tn
[ house, from which carpets, upholstered
furniture and woolenS Of every deserip
!. ton should be- removed. The furnitur
left should be Of the simplest descrip
} ton, . single or three.quarter he'd for th
patient, a lounge for the nurse to reclin,
upon, wooden or tagged chairs, and
table. There should be CRATE In tn
) room and fire kindied in 1t. This viii
/. not only keep the room ventilated, bu
destroy the germs Of the disease as the.
pass over The flame on their way out O
the room. Since so much in these disea
SEES depends on the care taken Of the pa
3 tient, threUhould be two nurses, in orde
that one may be on the watch while tn
other is resting. There is no danger 0
con,agion until the eruption comes to tn
surface, 80 that in case Of scarlet feve
! the mother has two days to take precau
tons against the spread Of the infection
and In smallpox three days. When tn
disease Ia passed the bed.clothes may b.
disiniected by thorough boiling and al
Q not treated in this way should be burned