The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-06-24
"Spotted Fever"

vailing in Mountain Home at pres
ent, and is occupying the attention
of the physicians. The following
communication in regard to the
disease appeared in the Mountain
Home Bulletin of the 18th inst,
and explains itself:
As spotted fever" is becoming more
and more prevalent in this town and its
environs, it may not be amiss 10 make a
few remarks in regard to this disease with
the object of preventing or less ening the
chances of Its infection.
In the first place, "spotted fever" as it
is enormously termed in this country, is
by no means disease special to this eli
mate; it is quite common in the tropic
aad semi-trorical regions and not infre
quent in the Southern States, chiefly in
Texas.
1t has been known since 1924, when an
epidemic broke out in Calcutta, making
havoc in population of nearly half u
million of souls, only few of them es-
! Gaping its ravages.
Over q score Of names have been ap-
piled to this affection, each referring to
one or other of its features rendered more
conspicuous in the different epdemics,
but in the best literature on the subject,
only two have been retained; Dengue and
Dandy fever. In the Southern States it
is popularity denominated "break bone
fever"
In the spring and fall of the year. when
heat, moisture and stagnation of air pre-
vail, and the surface water finds its way
into the wells and springs, the disease
makes Its unwelcome appearance with
more or less Intensity, sparing neither Sex,
age nor social condition, but attacking
most frequently those who are most ex
posed.
The initial symptoms Of the disease are
very similar to those Of a severe cold; q
chill is first felt, followed by an intense
headache, congested and fearful eyes,
abatement Of forces and pains in the
muscles and joints Of the body, sometimes
affecting one set of muscles, sometimes
another, and likewise with the joints
The eruption or, brea king out Of the spots
occurs generally at the third day, or
shortly thereafter and is preceded by a
high fever.
This formidable array Of symptoms is
very apt to create panic both in the pa
tient and his friends; moreover, if the
physician consulted, from inexperience
or cupidlty for ll!-merited reputation.
looks aud acts as though the weight of
the responsibility of the case was verify
overwhelmed and all the tension Of his
pretended knowledge was demanded to
save that Pickering existence.
The termination Of the disease is gen
orally favorable if the proper means are
used and the patient does not expose him.
self to taking cold or oyerilling the stom-
ach.
The bed room should be ventilated,
avoiding any direct draft toward the pa
tient, the bed clothes changed and aired
every second or third days, and the pa.
TENTS wearing apparel. also changed as
often, using the utmost caution that no
damp or chilled clothing should be in d.
rect or Indirect contact with the body.
The closing up of windows and doors,
the repeated libations Of hot drafts after
the rash is fully established, the unclean-
illness of both bed and body not only pro-
long the disease by unnecessary debility
from over copious sweating, but are very
prone to generate far more dangerous
fever by the constant breathing Of an at
mosphcre polluted by the poisonous ex
halations from the skin and lungs.
Chemistry has recently isolated from
the breath of the healthy man poison
which surpasses in virulence any agent
heretofore discovered; now compare it
with the fetid respiration of a fever pa
tent and you will have intensified it
hundred fold.
As preventive against the dangue, il
is advisable to abstain from drinking
water that has not been previously boiled
and cooled; at the same time the bowels
should be kept in regular condition by
the use Of mild cathartic.
The excessive use Of sweating bevera-
ges strong physics, massive doses of fever
medicines, are but the reflex Of the dark
ages that should not be tolerated in this
progressive century.
G. C. P. SILVA, n. D.
Mountain Home, June, IA, 1898.