The true northerner., 1885-05-14
Scarlet Fever.

For the following condensation of recent
circular from the Michigan state board of
health we are indebted, in part to the Decd
tar Republican,. In view of the fact that
scarlet fever has made its appearance in our
village, we trust it will prove both interesting
and instructive to many of our readers.
Scarlet fever is believed to be one of the most
contagious diseases. One attack usually prevents
subsequent attacks. The greatest number Of deaths
from this disease of children under ten years Of
age. Adult persons sometimes have the disease;
and though they have it in many instances in
milder form, yet they may communicate the disease
in fatal form to children. The isolation of those
mildly sick with, and convalescent from, scarlet
fever is important. 1t is believed to be caused by
SPECIAL contagium or poison which may be con-
veyed to persons previously unaffected, by personal
contact by infected clothing rags, hair paper
by any Of the discharges from the body of a person
affected with the disease. The discharges from the
throat nose, and mouth are considered extremely
dangerous, but those from the skin, eyes, ears, kid
neys and bowels are also dangerous, and remain SO
for considerable time. 1t is believed that the dis
ease may be communicated by person recovering
tnertIEOm 80 lODH as the tuOstQutuI bCd4luB
or peeng of the skin continues, which sometimes is
not completed before the lapse of seventy eighty
days. The poison may also remain in clothing ETC.,
for long time, possibly for years, especially If
wooden and packed away in drawers trunks.
Filth, unceanliness and imperfect ventilation may
increase the danger of spreading the disease.
The interval of time which may elapse after
posure TO the contagium of scarlet fever and during
which a susceptible person so exposed may expect
to be taken sick with the disease varies from one TO
fourteen days. Whenever child has sore throat
and fever, and especially when this is accompanied
by a rash the body, the child should immediate
ly be isolated completely possible from other
members Of the household, and from other persons,
until physician has it and determined whether
It has scarlet fever. All persons known TO be sick
with this disease (even those but mildly sick)
should be promptly and thoroughly isolated from
the public. Persons who attending upon chill
dren or other persons suffering from scarlet fever,
and also the members of the patients family, should
not mingle with other people, nor permit the en-
trance OF children iuto their house.
Plain and distinct notices should be placed on the
premises or house in which there is person sick
with scarlet fever and child that has not had the
disease should be allowed to enter, to associate
with persons who do enter such house room.
Children believed TO be uninfected may be sent
away from the house in which there is scarlet fever
to families in which there are persons liable
to the disease to previously dsinfected GONZALES
cent wards in hospitals; but in either case they
sh ould be isolated from the public until the expira
tion of the period Of incubation, counting from the
time OF their removal.
Househoiders and physicians must Immediately
give notice of the first case and of every case of
scarlet fever to the health officer TO the board of
health. Upon receipt Of such notice, the local
board of health has duties to perform IL taking
measures TO restrict the spread Of the disease,
which 1t great violation of public trust for the
board to neglect postpone. The law is very
plain to the nature and importance Of these du-
ties. In order that no time may be lost IL is the
duty of every board OF health to make provision for
prompt action by it's health officer authorizing and
directing him TO be prepared at all times execu-
tive officer Of the board to take certain action with
on. waiting for a meeting of the board, whenever
case of scarlet fever, diphtheria, smallpox or
other disease dangerous TO the public health occurs
within its jurisdiction. Some of these duties Of the
health officer may be briefly suggested follows:
He should verify the diagnoses Of reported cases
of scarlet fever and other diseases dangerous to the
public health, that IL, II he has any reason TO dis
trust the report, find out whether the person actual
| ly has the disease reported; secure isolation Of
those sick with exposed TO such a disease; give
notice Of infected places, regulate funerals of per-
sons dead from scarlet fever, ETC.. dsinfect rooms,
clothing and premises. The room in which one
sick with this disease is placed should previously
be cleared of all needless clothing, carpets, drspery
and other materials likely to harbor the poison OF
the disease except such articles essential "a
the we-being Of the patient. The sick room should
have no carpet, or only pieces which can afterward
be destroyed. Provision should be made for tho
Introduction of liberal supply Of fresh air and the
continual change Of the air of the room without
sensible currents or drafts.
Handkerchiefs that need TO be saved should not b,
used by the patient; small pieces Of rag should b.
used therefor, and after being once used should b
! immediately burned. soiled clothing towels, bed
| linen, ETC., removal from the patient should a
once before removal from the room, be placed I'm