Daily Kennebec journal., 1879-12-15
Is Scarlatina Contagious?

DR.. Edwin NJ Snow. of Providence. X. l.,
who ranks among the most enlightened ply
sicians in the country, has arrived at the con
clusion that scarlatina is not n contagious
disease. He is not unwilling to grant that II
NAV be infectious under some circumstances,
and TO limited extent. but does not believe
that ordinarily or generally it spreads by con-
tagion or infection. The doctors long ex-
perience adds weight to whatever he may say
upon the subject, and the fact that scarlatina
is just now so widely prevalent invests the
topic with lively interest.
In the city of Providence, X. L., where
Dr. Snow is Superintendent of Public Health,
there were IS deaths during November from
scarlatina alone. This number was y per
cent. of all the deaths, and was l3 per cent.
more than ever before reported in Providence
in any single month from that cause. OF the
deceased, only | was under ! year of age
9 were between and - 10 between and 0;
% between . and 10; . between 10 and 10;
and only over II years. "a were OF Amer.
lean parentage. In order to arrive at general
results, if possible, DIR. Snow ascertained the
location of each case. His inquiries showed
that in three or four wards no deaths occurred
although the disease was prevalent in all sec
tons.
The sudden and universal outbreak of the
disease in all portions of the city at the same
time DIR. Snow regards as convincing proof that
the disease is spread by other means than
contagion. Certainly, if the disease has
been spread by contagion alone" he says, sit
must be contagion possessing character
istics and governed by rules utterly diff
ferent from any with which we are
acquainted. 1t must be a contagion so sub
tie, so diffusive, so tenacious of vitality, and
so rapidly spreading, that it is nothing but
the sheercst nonsense to give any directions
for preventing, or destroying, or controlling
it," Nobody believes in any such conta-
gion.
The causes upon which scarlatina, as well
as dptheria, depend for propagation, accord
ing to DIR. Shows view, are these /. An
epidemic cause, probably atmospheric, posi-.
bly electric or other; 2. Foul air, or foul
water, mostly the former, and generally in
cities. foul air from vaults, sink drains or
cesspools. The first of these causes has diff
ferent characteristics in connection with the
diseases named; the second cause is the same
in both. Neither of them can alone produce
any amount of scarlatina or diptheria, and if
either should be efiectualy removed. the dis
ease now so prevalent would speedily cease.
five accept this view, both these malig-
nant diseases are preventable, and every citl-
zen becomes, to some extent, responsible for
them. The practical inference is plain, and
DR.. Snow vigorously urges heads of families
in Providence to give the subject immediate
attention. His directions apply equally well
in other quarters. They are Remove, as speed
lily as possible. all sources of foul air in the vi
cinity of houses, and make such arrangements
as shall effectually prevent the children from
breathing the foul air from vaults or cess
pools, either in the day time, or in the night
and especially in the night. Remove, or
thoroughly disinfect, all deposits of filth, and
cut off and stop up all pipes that are suspect
ed Of bringing foul air into the house.