Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-22
SCARLET FEVER.
Extracts from Circulars Bearing Upon
the Subject.
Hints Upon Prevention. Treatment and Disin-
iection-Ihe Health Laws.

Just now when the scarlet fever i
the burning question Of the hour peoplt
desire to know as much about the dis
ease as possible that they may be pre-
pared against the disease. know i
when they see il ana may know Wha1
! To do after they have been 50 unfortu-
Y nate as to discover it in their houses
With this purpose in view the Journa
l has obtained Of Secretary A. q. Young
of the State board of health, some OF
/ the circulars on scarlet fever that arr
issued by the board. From these has
been selected such sections as those III
terested in the subject may desire ID
know.
First Of all is a brief summary Of the
disease containing many valuable
points that is taken from Circular No
80 on characteristics of Infectious
Diseases This little paragraph says:
Scarlet fever. (scarlatina, scarlet
rash, canker rash, 'RashD Period of
incubation 2-5 days. The onset of the
symptoms is usually sudden The rash
appears within "a or As hours after the
first symptoms tshorter than in measles
and smallpox usually coming out
III - VII lit llctA anu CHEST, dlltENdIu
extending to the limbs The fever does
not abate suddenly. after the appear
ance of the eruption as in measles ana
smallpox. Rash consists of multi
tude Of fine red or scarlet points. the
color Of which is diffused over the
whole surface. Sore throat is almost
always an early ana prominent symp-
tom The tongue usually presents a
peculiar appearance designated az
S.,a- "r. . tongue" Cases are in
( "i.-s 2s soon as the eruption has
appeared, ANA until the completion Of
tn" discrimination. or peeling, which il
often not before s or $ weeks. The in
lection may come directly from the
patient, or be carried upon the person
or in the clothing Of those who have
not had the disease. Infected clothing
furniture, rooms, etc. may retain their
dangerous qualities for long while.
unless very careful disinfcction is done
Children from to ! years Of age arr
more likely To take the disease ana
when they do. are more endangered bv
it. than persons at other stages IF life
Afr 10 or u years Of age there Is a
rapid diminution Of susceptibility to
the infection Of scarlet fever"
In another circular devoted exclu-
sively to scarlet fever ANA tn disinfcc-
zion Wr find few suggestions in r,-
gard to the prevention ana restriction
Of the disease With the following:
Scarlet fever. scariatna scarlet
rash, ana canker rash are several
names for on ana the same disease
The contagion is Very readily conveyed
long distances i'll clothing ~ other
things. or even in a letter WI 4 paper
sent from the sick-rnom. The cunta-
giun may be preserved fur many
months in clothing Or IN rooms. ov even
in small articles such as handkcrcnief4
or doll which escapes distinction.
After recovery. for several weeks at
least, the scarlet fever patient con,iu-
ues To be 4 source NJ danger I'D others
as long at least as thu skin continues
to be rough ana to give off its branny
scales Of desquamation, or rerling.
Keep children away from tn diSeasa
ara away from persons ana things
that have been where 1t Is. Keep, also
all VINO have recently been sick with
the disease ana All Who have been
where it il away from YOUR children.
Scarlet fever is always 4 dangerous
and often 4 deadly disease. One great
reason for varding off scarlet fever is
that after childhood. this disease is
not 80 fatal. and also after childhood
the liability To take the disease il very
much lessened. ID therefore happens
that many. escaping the disease II
childhood. never have Il. though many
times exposed To Il later IN llIe.
The scarlet fever patient should
lie put into 4 room ~ himself. II is
better To have the room in the upper
story and at a distance from rooms in
habited by children. Before the patient
is put into the room. remove every
thing possible which Gan eaten ahd RI
tain ms poison N the dlSeaSc' VIZ
carpets useless 1T 'dliiS' uiiu9e' ''''''''-
IT,
Notify the secretary 81 the iocai
board Of health at once.
Have some person specially en-
ployed as nurse. who Is not to visit
other parts of the house. ~ other per
son not needed should n al"Wed !"
visit the slck-foolh' eSpeclS'l! th"S'
/ who have children Of their own or VINO
,,,e+ "a ,,.bara children ARA The nlIre