Arizona weekly enterprise., 1881-11-12
Arizona Weekly EnterpriS'
SCARLET FEVER.
Thc ScOurge of the Nursery aud How E---- tO Treat It.


 E tO Treat It.
 lFron the New York Timesl
 Beside the character common to the group known as exanthemata, scarlatina Is almost always attended by sore throat, and the scarlet rash or eruption, which gives the name to the disease, breaks out as early as the second day after the appearance of the fever, and ends on the sixth or seventh day in the separation of the cuticle. Nearly all medical writers mention three varieties of the disease scarlatina simplex, in which scarcely any throat trouble attends the fever and the rash i; scarletina anginosa, i'll which throat trouble is more prominent than in either of the other affections, and scar. latina mslipna, in which the system is Immediately overbOrne by the violence of the disorder, and the patient exhibits great weakness and To. S of vitality. The disease begins with chillipess, lassi- tude, headache, rapid pulse, dry, hot skin, flushed face, loss of appetite and furred tongue. Presently the throat feels irritated, grows rcd, and is often swollen. The small points of the rash go increase that the skin soon seems d. most uniformly red, extending from the face, neck and breast to the trunk and extremities. The separation of the cuticle in the scales usually ends in fortnight or more from the declaration of the distemper. The fever continues with the rash is sometimes accompanied with delrium. even coma. In the malignant, or third form, the rash comes out late and par tllly, being at times barely perceptible. At other times 1t may abruptly recede, or be mingled with livid spots. The skin is cold, with feeble pHlse and ex- treme prostration, and death may occur frequently from blood poisonipg-in a few hours. In such cases the tongue is dry, brown, tremulous the throat is lVld, swollen, Uicerated, gangrenous breathing is impeaed by yiscid mucus that collects about the fauces, and medi- cine ayails little. Even in scarlatina Hngnosa there is considerable danger. It may prove fatal from the infamma- ton or eftusion within the head, or from Reorganization of the throat and slough ing off of adjacent parts. Teeming women are in imminent peril from the Inildest phase of the fever. When it bSthln tO Dc CAAG1 1lS COlselu6uCeS are hazardous. Children, to whom it is main- ly confined, of course, are subject after severe attack to permanent ill-health, and to some of the many forms of chronic scrofuls, as shown by boils, sores behind the ears, inflammation of the eyes, glandular swellings, and stru- nous ulcers. Scarlatina is often followed by peculiar dropsy, affecting the sub cutaneous cellular tissues and larger serous cavities. It occurs, like all the exanthemata, as an epidemic-some- times in yory virulent type. In the simple variety, remaining within doors, non-stimulahng diet and regulation of the bowels are generally found sufficient. In the second variety, leeches are often employed. especially where delirium supervenes. The two principal sources oi danger in the malignant variety are from the primary effect ot the contagious poison upon the body and from gangre- nous Liberation of the throat. The final result is always uncertain. Whether it Is contagious throughout its course, or at one period alone, has never been as- certained but thht the power of con tagion remains in clothing, furniture, etc, is unqueetioned and unquestion- able.