The National tribune., 1883-11-29

exposure in measles is from seven to fourteen
| days. 1t generally assumes an epidemic form, as
in schools and asylums. 1t also attacks new
| formed regiments and military companies. 1t
| is not commonly fatal, except when the patient
suffers exposure and neglect. Its course is from
| six TO seven days. The danger in measles is
| from inflammation of the air passages, though
| the fever is sometimes accompanied with deli
rum, which is more alarming than dangerous.
The eyes are liable TO be left irritable and in
/ famed
The principal care in measles should be to
maintain an cquable temperature in the room
where the patient is confined. The diet should
/ be simple, while mild diaphoretic to promote
! peIspiration may be given, with an expecto-
/ rant, if the throat is very troublesome. The old
/ treatment for measles was to shut the poor suf
ferer In room, on feather bed as hot as the
oven in which the celebrated "Firekin
entered, and dose the little suffer with boiling
saffron tea, denying even drop of cold water,
until, between the prickly eruption, the exces-
! sive thirst and the unbearabe heat he was
ready to pray the prayer of Dives to Lazarus
/ from his bed of unutterabie torment. Mothers,
/ this is not necessary A warm room simply,
! free from draughts, but properly ventilated, is
| all that is wanted IN temperature, while an oc-
caSional draught of catnip Tea, saffron if you
| choose, may be given. But neither is it neceS-
sary TO give this boiling hot. A mild draught,
moderately COOL is grateful and serves every
purpose.
| SCARLET FEVER.
This fatal eruptive fever, which so often sweeps
! entire communities of the loveliest of their
household treasures. is so distinct in its symp-
toms and course from measles that it is difficult
to understand why they were so long con-
| founded. In scarlet fever there is chill in
most cases. with vomiting as a primary symp-
tom, especially in young children. The fever
comes on at once, intense and violent, the axil
4.
The pulse IS corUespondiEgly frequent, and the
surface of the body when touched creates
burning sensation. In twenty-four hours the
rash appears. bright scarlet etiioresence, first
on the face and neck, extending within an
other twenty-four hours over the entire body.
In some cases the rash covers the entire body, in
Others it appears in patches The skin is some
what swollen, and the rash produces sting
ing sensation, in some cases accompanied by
great itching.
The rash very generally appears in the
throat affects the tonSils and IN severe cases
extends from the throat 20 the middle of the
ear, giving rise TO perforation OF the tympan-
uIn. with perhaps the loss of the ossicles, re-
snlting in an impairment of the hearing. II not
permanent deafness. When the throat Is badly
affected it involves the glands of the neck,
causing inflammation and sometimes suppura-
tiOn. The exudatiOn of the throat IS accom-
panied by an ash-colored product or an exuda-
tion as in diphtheria. Sometimes the throat is
almost closed ani it is with difficulty and great
pain that the sufferer can swallow. The erup
tion runs from four to six days.
Following the eruptiye stage in scarlet fever
comes the stage of desguaf1ation, or slOughing-
of Of the diseased skin. The cuticle or scarf
skin exfoliates separating into branny scales,
or large fakes, which may be peeled of easily.
in some cases the c1tlcle Of the hand remains
intact and comes of like a glove, just as a
I F.as+S zso-r, -rg.f The
at this stage is so very annoying that children
must be carefully watched or they Will perma-
1 nently injure the tissues of the skin by rub
bing aud scratching. The length of this
period Is FIVE or six days though often longer,
in proportion as the intensity of the fever and
the constitutional symptoms have been marked
and aggravated.
4 serious affection Of the kidnevs occasion
ally accompanies or follows as sequel of scar
let fever Ii usually manifests itself during the
second stage, and as an inflammation OF the lin
ing Of the uriniferous tubes. The gravity OF
this local affection is that it interferes with
the excretory functions of the kidneys leading
; 10 the retention of urinary principles in the
blood, constituting the morbid condition called
nr9nia which gives rise to coma and conyul-
s;ons, ard IN some cases TO general dropsy. The
gravity of the common error that the danger
, IN scarlet fever ceases with the febrile and
, eruptive period, viii be better understood If it
IS ef1eflt6rSQ LD3l a4En0ugl the GXpef0at neal
ing is going satisfactorily, there is diseased
internal condition which demands that the pa
tient be more carefully watched and protected
. than ever before. The kidneys have all they
can do to relieve themselves Of an alarming
and irritating obstruction without taking upon
themselves additional burdens thrust upon
them by the imprudences of cold, exposure, ol
indulgences in improper food.
! Scarlet fever is very contagious. The period
Of incubation Is short, sometimes not more thar
: twenty-four hours, and rarely exceeding week
While all ages are subject, il seldom occurs un
der two years or over forty. The infection!
material remains for long tine IN garments
or In the bed Of q scarlet fever patient, and the
greatest care should be used alter recovery Il
: prevent a spread Of the infection. The cloth.
ing which has come in contact with the patien
should be well washed, the bed overhaulea, anf
: the room thoroughly cleansed and fumigated
; This shou,d be done not only IA violent cases
: but those which are extremely mild. Th,
! character OF the infection remains the same
: whether light in form or very grave.
: TREATMENT u scAKLET FEvER.
e OF course, in severe cases physician Is a
:, once sent for, which is as it should be. III
d visits the house and prescribes such remedie
: az may reduce the animal heat and be require,
by the constitutional symptoms manifested il
the case. lie calls, perhaps, once or twice il
= twemty-four hours, leaves his medicine, eljoin
. a few general instructions and retires. No on
= will say but that his whole duty Is performed
: lie is simply the o0nmandeT-in-chief; he give
! his general orders, but i remains fGT the force
= az his command % execute them faithfully an
: intelligently. More deaths in scarlet fever, .
= in every other maiady. come from lack of nuri
. ing than from lack Of medicine or the disea=
!, Itself
y Sometimes in scarlet fever the affection IS 9
- simple that no physician is called. The ps
- tient lies around in haifsick condition,
= treated for common sore throat, feels a iittl
- better, goes cut into the cold OF to sleep in
: damp room, is taken suddenly worse drops
= sets in, then swelling of the head the feet III
!. entire body. and death. Then eyerybod
!. stands around in a whisper, thinking Il all {
- strange; they never knew dTopsy WIS in th
~ family" Here again is where the lack of car
= ful nursing shows itself III many alarming ep
=, denies.
= In no other disease are the extreme types
II the very mild and very malignant so mari1e
- as In scarlet fever. Ia the former, the patiel
- =. may not much as be confined to his bed !;
- the other. death sometimes ensues before ii
- eruption appears. In mild cases the treatIne,
- Is very simple. Active medication is not ind
- Gated but the best of nursing IS required. T.
"a main point is to diminish the animal heat i
- spoDging the body and giving cooling drink
), 1t VIII also be found very grateful 20 the Jate
= 10 rub the trunk and limbs with fat bacon
other oleaginous substance to allay the itchin
which is often very distressing. 4 thin si
Of tacgFs NAV also he is0uf5 cn tho throat xvh