The Newtown bee., 1879-02-11
SCARLET FEVER.
How to Detect It's Approach und tbe Way
 the Disenso Should bc Treated.

How to Detect It's Approach und the Way
 the Disenso Should he Treated.
 Dr. J. Varnum Mott, prominent New York physician, writes to the Her. old as follows In the Ht~did I notice Q request from one of your correspondents that some physician who is familiar with the symptoms of scarlet fever and diphtheria should make them known through your columns for the benefit of those who are unable to procure the services of physician. With your per mission I will advance my views on this subject, noting first the symptoms of the two diseases, and second the treat ment that experience has proved to me to be of great value.
 Scarlet fever ia epidemic in character. The period of invasion is about forty eight hours, but in exceptional cases 1t may show itself in much shorter time, few hours only being necessary to develop the constitutional disturbances. Tho child about to be attacked by this disease will complain of general lassi- tude, nausea and vomiting. Distinct rigors, followed quickly by fever, which presence can readily be detected by the mother if she will note the accelerated condition of the pulse, its pGlsations often rising to 140 times minute. It will be found to be small to the touch md also irregular and intermittent. This fever will not subside until the rash makes it's appearance, which it generally does in from twelve to twenty four hours. The rash appears on the neck and chest first, rapidly spreading in irregular patches until the whole sur face becomes involved. These are the symptoms of a mild case of scarlet few r, but in practice we are more apt to attend cases where the onset is attended with much more serious complications. For instance, child may at the very first be seized with convulsions and delirium, coma rapidly following, and the patient dying in very few hours. Such cases are beyond the control of physicians. while in the former case much can often be done to alleviate their suffering.
 Diphtheria, disease is also chased among the diseases capable of causing an epidemic. It was at first generally considered to be local in char acter, but now it is n pretty well-ac. knowledged fnct that it is constitu. tional disease The chill in ushering in this malady is apt to be more defined than in the other disease we have just : considered. Pain in the back, fever, and difficulty in swallowing will be the first symptoms complained of. If the throat be examined the mucous mem. brane will be found to be very red and have the appearance of great fulness, small gray whitish patches may be seen situated on tho tonsils, and the glands of the neck will be found to be very much enlarged; this of itself producing another feature--namely, stiff neck The fever is not as high in ordinary cases of diphtheria as in scarlet fever instead of increasing in severity it gen orally remains about the same as wher first noticed, unless some other comph cation presents itself. The patches il the throat remain, and increase rapidly in size until the whole pharynx is en veloped with the fold of membrane.
 As the line of treatment is substan tially the same in the initial stages O scarlet fever and diphtheria, will Urea of them together. What can mother do for their children when taken witl either of the diseases under considera ton that will tend to lessen the severit, of the attack? My reply is, very littl, toward abortipe it's progress, but mucI to alleviate the shferIngs of the patien and to further prevent the spread of tn disease.
 child presenting any of tho abov symptoms should be confined to bed, il room where the temperature can b maintained at seventy degrees Fab rcnheit. By adopting this precsutio, the patient is protected from arauqhte and tho uniformity of the atnaspher guards against undue exposureE A soon as the throat symptoms manifes themselves let the patient use the fo lowing gargle, if old enough, otherwis give small teaspoonful of the solutio every half hour ;-Chlorate of potasl two drams; chloride tincture of iroi one half a dram; glycerine, half a ounce; water, three ounces. Mix we and shake before using. If the bowel should be constipated, as they general are in these diseases, give an ordinai dose of castor oil or ateaspoonful of tl syrup of rhubafb. The diet should l composed mostly of liquids, mill soups and boiled rice being m excellel regimen to adopt. The best plan is give nourishment often, in small ouant ties, rather than too much at one tim If headache should be complained
 immerse the feet in hot water for te minutes. rub them dry and wrap in warm flannel. Thirst is one of Il most distressing symptoms, and is be- relieved by giving the patient sma pieces of ice every fifteen or tweni minutes, being governed, of course, | tue chilling offect it may produce.
 cools the infamed surfaces, reduces u sympathetic enlargement of the glan, and exerts powerful influence in col trolling the distressing vomiting
 often associated with scarlet feye Disinfectants should be freely used ol about and around the patient. A haudkerchiefs, cloths md towels shou either be thoroughly disinfected with solution of carbolic acid (forty drops
 the pint), or they should be boiled f several hours. 1t is well 10 have ye sells containing solution of carbol acid in different parts of the infect, house, for by these precautions tl further spread of tho disease may checked. The burning of sulphur on small shovel is highly recommended some authors, and as it is a comnodi very easily obtained it would be we'll
 give it fair trial. Itis claimed that is capable of destroying the germs
 diphtheria.
 Not wishing to trespass further your valuable space I will conclu these observations by warning mothe not to neglect sending for a physicia If they are able to do SO, as soon as t symptoms above described manif. themselves; for if they expect to obta relief tbe physician must be called eal in the disease.
 How Man Feels with His Head 0
 It is considered on all sides that t