The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-05
TYPHUs FEVER.
The Dread Disease That Causes Uneasi-
ness In New York.
Rochester Post-Express

The Dread Disease That Causes Uneasi-
moss In New York.
Rochester Post-Express.
Typhus fever was thought, az late as the
year 1881. to be the same as typhoid But In
that year DIR. Garland of Philadelphia,
pointed out some of the differences: DR..
Elisha Bartlett did the same thing In 1S47 |;
but it was not until 1850 that DR..
Jenner OF London drew distinct lines
of demarkation and settled the ques-
tion to the satisfaction of the medical
fraternity. Typhus is a continued fever
OF highly contagious nature, lasting
for about fourteen days and characterized
mainly by great prostration of strength,
severe nervous symptoms and a peculiar
eruption On the skin. 1t has received
numerous other names, such as spotted.
pestilential. putrid, jail and hospital fever.
1t has been known as destructive maIady,
frequently appearing in epidemic form
in all the countries of Europe. The
disease is communicated by tho exhala-
those suffering from the fever, and those
most closely in contact with the sick are
most apt to suffer. This is shown by the
frequency with which nurses and physi-
clans take typhus from cases under their
care. There are four stages Of the disease.
First, the incubation or the period between
the reception Of the fever poison and the
manifestation of the special evidence Of
the disease. This period varies from week
TO ten days. Beyond feelings of languor no
particular symptoms are manifested. Sec
Ond, the invasion of the fever. A recognized
authority says: This is in general well
marked and severe. In the form Of a distinct
Tigor. or feeling CT chilliness lasting
for hours. and a sense Of illness and pros
trati0D. together with headache of a dis
tressing character and sleeplessness." Fe-
verish symptoms soon appear and the tenn
perature rises to considerable height.
The third stage is characterized by the ap-
pearance Of the eruption. which consists Of
blotches. varying In size from mere
points to three or four inches in
diameter. In the more severe forms of
the fever the rash is of very dark
color. The authority already quoted
says: AFTER the appearance Of the erup-
tion the patients condition seems to be
easier, so far as regards the headache and
discomfort which marked the outset Of the
symptoms; but this is TO be ascribed to the
tendency TO pass into typhus stupor which
supervenes about this time, and becomes
more marked throughout the course of the
second week. The patient now lies on his
back, with dull, dusky countenance. an
apathetic or stupid expression and con-
tracted pupils. All the febrile symptoms al
ready mentioned are fully developed. and de-
lirium, usually of low muttering kind,
but sometimes wild aud maniacal, is pres
ent both night and day. Throughout the
second week of the attack the symptoms
continue nnabated but there is In addition.
great prostration of strength, the pulse be-
coming very feeble. the breathing shallow
and rapid and often accompanied with
bronchial sounds" The fourth stage or
crisis. of the disease usually takes place
about the beginning of the third week.
When there is recovery at all. it is usually
steady and rapid. Among the children I'M
der 10 the average death rate is about per
cent, while amongst persons over so it is
about 46 per cent.