Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-01-27
SCARLET FEVER.
The ScOurge of the Nursery and HO,,
to Treat 1t.
New York Times


That scourge of the nursery, scarlet
fever, is said to be on the increase here.
and so many neighborhoods are suffer
ing from it that number of parents
have sent their children out of town
for fear of the cOntagion. Besides the
character common to the group known
as eXanthemata, scarletina is almost
always attended by sore throat and the
scarlet rash or eruption, which gives
name to the disease, breaks out as
early as the second day after the APP
pearance of fever, and ends on the
sixth or seventh day in 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; scarlatina anginosa, in
which throat trouble is more promi-
nent than in either of the other affec-
tiOns, and scarlatina mahgna, in which
the system is Immediately overborne
by the violence Of the disorder, and
the patient exhibits great weakness and
loss of vitality. The disease begins
with chilliness, lassitude, headache.
rapid pulse, dry, hot skin, flushed face,
loss of appetite, and furred tongue.
Presently the throat feels irritated.
grows red, and is often swollen. The
small points of the rash so increase that
the skin soon seems almost uni
formly red, extending from the face.
neck and breast to the trunk and ex-
tremities. The separation of the cuti-
Gle in the scales usually ends in fort
night or more from the declaration of
the distemper. The fever continues
with the rash; is sometimes accompa-
MED with delerium, even coma. Inthe
malignant, or third form, the rash
comes out late and partially, being at
times barely perceptible. At other
times it may abruptly recede, or be
mingled with livid spots. The skin is
cold, with feeble pulse and extreme
prostration, and death may occur
frequently from blood poisoning-in
few hours. In such cases the tongue is
dry, brown, tremulous; the throat Is
livid, swollen, liberated, gangrenous,
breathing is impeded by viscid mucus
that collects about the fauees, and med
icine avails little. Even in scarlatina
anginosa there is considerable danger;
or effusion within the head, or from
disorganization of the throat and
sloughing off of adjacent parts. Teen
ing women are in imminent peril from
the mildest phase OF the fever. When
it seems to be cured its consequences
are hazardous. Children, to whom ii
is mainly confined, of course, are sub
ject after a severe attack to permanent
ill-health, and to some Of the many
forms of chronic scrofula, as shown by
boils, sores behind the ear, infamma-
ton of the eyes, glandular swelling3
and strumOus ulcers. Scarlatina Is
often followed by peculiar dropsy,
affecting the subcutaneOus cellular It's
sues and larger serous cavities. 1t oc-
ours, like all the exanthemata, as All
epidemic-sometimes in very mild,
sometimes in very virulent types. In
the simple variety, remaining within
doors, non-stimulating diet and regula-
ton of the bowels are generally found
sufficient. In the second variety,
leeches, often employed, especially
where delirium supcryenes. The two
principal sources Of danger in the
malignant variety are from the primary
effect of the contagious poison upon
the body and from gangrenous ulcera-
ton of the throat. The final result is
always uncertain. Whether it is con
tagious throughout its course, Or at
one period alone, has never been as
certained; but that the power Of con
tagion remains IN clothing, furniture,
etc, is unquestioned and unquestion-
able