The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-09
SCARLET FEVER.
A Circular From the State Board of
Health.

Health.
Scarlet fever, Scarlatina, Scarlet Rash and
Canker Rash are several names for one and
the same disease. 1t is very desirable that
only the name Scarlet Fever should be in gen.
eral use, for so many names have wrought
much confusion in the popular mind Some
times in scarlet fever the fever is high, some
times mild. Sometimes the eruption is a
vivid red rash, sometimes it is barely percep-
tible Sometimes the inflammation of the
throat is very malignant, sometimes so slight
as not to be noticeable. No matter how
these manifestations of the disease may vary
in different cases. it is all scarlet fever, and
one attack prevents subsequent attacks
With children scarlet fever is one Of the
most infectious of diseases, withal we might
term it capricious disease. Sometimes a
single individual may have the disease, while
| children who have never had it may escape
although exposed to its contagion in the
same house. Again, the slightest momenta-
nv exposure may be sufficient to give the dis
ease.
The poison of scarlet fever is very readily
conveyed in clothing or other things, even
long distances. Such cases as this are so
common that almost everybody knows of
| them: A person calls to inquire about his
neighbor's child who has this disease, opens
the door for just moment perhaps does not
go in, walks long way home, and then gives
the disease to his own children.
The contagion may be preserved for many
months in clothing or in rooms. An article,
for instance, handkerchief or doll, may
be used by scarlet fever child and then
laid away, perhaps for year, and when un-
packed give the disease to other children.
A letter or paper sent by mail may
carry the disease, the hair or the beard may
carry it when the clothing has been changed
and disinfected and this part of the body
neglected.
After recovery, for several weeks at least,
the scarlet fever patient continues to be a
source of danger to others, as long, at least
as the skin continues to be rongh and to give
off its branny scales of DISCRIMINATION or
peeling.
With all the subtle infectiousness of scar
let fever, preventive measures will be re-
warded with marked results. Carefulness
can keep the infection from being scattered
abroad, and disinfection can utterly destroy
its power to do harm.
Keep your children away from the disease
and from persons and things that have been
where it is. Keep. also, all who have re-
Gently been sick of the disease and all who
have been where it is away from your chill
dren. Scarlet fever is a dangerous and often
deadly disease, therefore it may sometimes
be your duty in protecting your children to
treat the grossly careless as a malefactor.
This duty Of protecting your family from the
danger of scarlet fever is as clear and imper-
alive as would be your duty to stay the hand
that would carry poisonous and possibly
a deadly draught to the lips OF your child.
One great reason for warding off scarlet fe-
yer is that after childhood this disease is not
so fatal, and also after childhood the liability
to take the disease is very much lessened
1t therefore happens that many escaping the
the disease in childhood never have it, al
though many times exposed toSit later in
life.
| RESTRICTION.
The scarlet fever patient should be put in
a room by himself. 1t is better to have the
room in the upper story and not near rooms
inhabited by children. Before the patient is
put into the room, remove everything posi-
Bile which can catch and retain the poison of
the disease, viz: carpets, useless curtains,
unused clothing.
Have some person especially employed as
nurse who is not to visit other parts of the
house where children are. No other person
not needed should be allowed to visit the
sick room, especially those who have chill
dren of their own or who must go where
children are. The nurse while attending the
patient should wear only such clothing as
can be disinfected by boiling before she goes
to other places.
The room should be ventilated as thor
oughly and constantly as possible without in
curing the danger of draughts. Especially
during convalescence chill is to be avoided.
diluting and letting out the poison of the
disease so its concentration may not be
danger to others in the house.
Receive the discharges from the throat and
nose upon pieces of linen or cotton cloth
which are to be burned.
The discharges from the bowels and kid
neys should be disinfected with Disinfectant
No. 5, No 6, or No. in large .quantitysand
buried some distance from the dwelling.
The utmost care should be taken with the
clothing 0 the patient Do not carry it from
the sick room dry When removed it should
be dipped into tub of Disinfectant No. or
No. s, and afterward boiled in the solution.
No person from house where scarlet fe-
yer is should go into public assemblies, such
as schools, churches or concerts, or any
where into the presence of children who have
not had the disease. Much of the contagion
of scarlet fever is in the scales which are
thrown off from the skin during desquama-
ton; it is well to use frequently during this
period Injunction of some oil or other fatty
matter to prevent the scattering of these
infectious particles.
Persons who have had scarlet fever should
never be allowed to 20 to school or mingle in
five weeks after the disappearance of the
fever and the rash, and not then until the
clothing is thoroughly disinfected, and the
body has received a disinfecting bath, not
emitting the head.
In case of death the body should be en-
closed in a sheet thoroughly wet in Disin-
fectant No. or No. 5 and put into a tight
coffin, which should not afterward be opened.
The funeral should be strictly private
and in no case should children be permitted
to be present.
After death or recovery disinfect the room
thoroughly with Disinfectant No. /. In adj
dition to this, burn all things of but little
value which have been in the room, and dis
infect by prolonged boiling clothing and fur
nishings which can be so treated.
DIsNFEcTANTs
No. 1. Sulphur Faanigotion.
To use this effectively two pounds of sulphur
should be burned in a room ten feet square. Every
opening into the room, fiues, DOORS window cracks
and crevices, must be closed, except the door by
which the disinfectOr is to escape. The sulphur
is to be burned in an iron kettle or other vessel
set in tub containing a little water to guard
against fire. A little alcohol or kerosene must
be poured upon the sulphur, by means of whichit
fumes are highly poisonous when breathed, and
close the door tightly. Let the room remain clos
ed twenty-four hours or more. Then air thorough
ly for several days
No. /. For the Discharges.
Sulphate Of Iron .(copperas), pounds; warm
water, gallon; mix. This leaves rust spots on
No. g. For Privies, Cess Pools, etc.
Sulphate of Iron, 11s pounds; water gallon;
mix.
No. 4. For Clothing
Sulphate of zinc white vitrioD, 4 ounces COM
mon salt 2 ounces; water, l gallon, mix
No. L. C0rr0sjue Slt6li7adte Solution
Corrosive Submate, 60 grains; permanganate
of potassa, grain; water, gallon mix.
Corrosive. Sublimate is one OF the surest des
troyers of disease germs known but its dangerous
poisonous qualities make it unsafe for general
use: 1t could be used instead Of No. 2, or one
half this strength instead of Nos. 3 and 4.
No. 6. Chloride Of Lime Solution.
chloride OF Lime OF the DeSJ quanty,
ounces; soft water, gallon; mix. This is one of
the best and cheapest diSinfectants.
No. T.
Boiling for half an hour is the surest way to des
troy infection. Immersion in No. 4, or No 6 will
lessen the danger from the infected clothing until
it can be boiled which should be done as soon as
possible.
Minneapolis Maineites.
The Minneapolis, Mimi, Tribune says that the
Maine Club in that city "are making preparations
for the second annual banquet of the Sons and
Daughters Of Maine, which occurs at the West