The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-09-03
"A DREAD DISEASE.
A Layman Who Studied
Up the Measles.
Extra cts From Opinions BY Emil
nent Medical Men-An AiIment
70 Be Avoided.

Self love. my Iege. is not so vile a sin
As self neglecting."- Shakespeare.
Sir:-The young are a part Of Us,
hence the quotation. The measles be
ing abroad in our midst ask space for
the utteranca of a few words Of eau
ton TO those whom it may concern.
Especially does it appear important to
have attention called to the subject
now, for in a few days our schools will
be opened again. The disease is too
often looked upon as harmless, one
that must be taken, and that the
sooner it is over and done with, the
better. This view, 10 some extent,
prevails in our midst, so let me quote
from a paper read before the Stats
teal Society, Eng, by Dr.. LOngstaff,
NJ. b., NJ. R. c. P, etc. He says
measles causes nearly i've times as
many deaths as small pOX, while the
amount of mischief TO be attributed
in the way of impaired gen
eral health, permanent lung disease
!
probably never be known
Dr.. August AIIivier, physician Of the
Hospital des Enfants Malades, at Paris,
speaking Of measles says: In devils
ing prophyIactic measures, therefore
while protection should, Of course, be
extended to all, it should be directed
with special soIicitude to young child
rem against one of the diseases which
proves most fatal to them"
Chandler. on the prevention OF
Measles" says: The reasons why
young children should not be allowet
to take the disease are unansWerablt
and all sufficient-fOr the educated
Speaking of the vulgar error that 81
many hold that all must, ex necessi
tate, once have measles, the writer
saws: "A traditional and ingraineC
belief like this is not to be demolished
by considerations, however ratiOna
, and fOrcible, that do not touch th'
e fundamental ground on which the de
fusion is based. 1t VIII be crushed
out only by substantial, tangible. Wis
ibIe proof of the errOr-proOf they ar
not likely to get so long as meaSI9
rage with increased severity.
The same author says: AS tn
r disease is regarded as the fate, soOne
2 or later, of every one, it is held to b
. a fortunate thing to take it Whel
. young-if only it is not fatal, or doe
e not leave very serious ailments be
S hind For this reason many parent
e are not solicitOus about keeping thel
children out of the way of infection
e Other parents are moved I
= act on the principle that children ha
:, better get the measles over; and rely
= ing confidently on ancient pTecRpt
and practice, boldly do all they ca
d to ensure their catching the com
/ plant. x Certainly it is some
t what barbarous, this parental solici
Z tude or reckIassness. To modern mind
there is something uncanny in the nc
4 ton Of setting 10 work in cold bloc
q to deliver a child over to pOssibl
death or lingering disease.
4 is well, therefore, to exhibit the dar
@ ignorance shown in this utterly fulfil
and dangerous procedure"
b Health is such a blessed thing, an
n its complete or partial loss so ofte
e follows an attack of measles that
# am urged to ask your favor for tn
l. punishment of the foregoing remark
E, LAYMAN.
e HOnOIuIu II 7 Aug 81