The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-22
M edical Notes

j
4 ' u :
The danger of contagion in various
erUptive fevers Is as follows: In scarlet
fever there is danger as long as desqua-
nation continues, or a purulent discharge
from the ear or an abscess keeps up, while
the elements of contagion may linger for
an indefinite period in clothing, toys,
books, etc., which have not been disinfect-
ed. In measles the danger continues as
long as the fine, bran-lihe desquamation
continues. In German measles the dura-
ton of the liability to communicate the
disease Is not known. In chicken pox the
danger Of contagion ends with the she'd
ding Of the dried crusts. In varioloid
there is danger as long as the crusts con-
tinue to form, while in true smallpox it is
the same.
The period of incubation in scarlet fe
yer Is from four to seven days. sometimes
less; that is to say after person has
been exposed to the contagious agent, If
he or she is not immune, scarlet fever will
probably develop within seven days. In
measles the period Is from eight to ten
days. In German measles the period COW
ers two Or three weeks; in chicken pox
about two weeks; in varioloid ten to four
teen days, and in smallpox ten to four
teen days.
The premonitory symptoms in scarlet
fever occur suddenly, very often at night,
and are, principally, sore throat, nausea
or vomiting, high fever. and, in severe
cases, commissions. The first symptoms Of
measles also occur suddenly, the chief
symptoms being catarrh and slight fever.
In German measles the onset Is gradual,
the fever slight, transient and very often
absent. In chicken poX the first symp-
toms appear suddenly, as they do in vario-
lCid, which Is characterized by ch1lls, high
fever, headache and pain in the lotns;
symptoms which 1t has in common with
smallpox.
In scarlet fever tho eruption appears
at the end Of the first or during the course
of the second day. In measles the erup-
ton appears at the end OF the first or
during the course Of the second day In
measles the eruption usually appears on
the fourth day, sometimes on the third or
fifth. In German measles the eruption Is
usually the first symptom, while in chick
en- pox the eruption appears at once and
usually III successive crops. In varioloid
the eruption appears on the third or
fourth day, taking typical form on the
sixth day, while characteristic pustules
form on the ninth day, as they also do in
smallpox.
In scarlet fever the eruption begins to
disappear in from three to five days, fol-
lowing the course of its appearance. In
measles the eruption fades in about four
days. In German measles the period is ir-
regular. usually from four to six days,
drying up, as rule, without suppura-
ton. In vario1oid the pustules do not
suppurate, but begin to dry up on the
sixth day, and in smallpox they dry up at
tie end of the second week, the crusts
separating slowly and leaving marked and
enduring scars.
Apropos of the possibility of the repopu-
lation Of our newly acquired territory,
the recent address by Koch before the
German Colonial society Is of interest.
Beyfus, who has written an exhaustive
article controverting the mosquito theory
of malaria, says: decentralization means
nothing less than a process of adaptation,
which renders possible the ropagation of
strong, vfable individuals without degen-
eration-stigmata and with the exclusion
Of an afflux of fresh blood from the moth
eli country" The life history Of foreign
ers in tropical countries proves that
perfect adaptation Is not possible, for, in
persistently and consistently followed for
hundreds of years, not g. single family
can be found that has preserved it's puri-
ty of blood. Tropical Temperatures, in
tense solar radiation, varying humidity
and changeable winds, each and all have
unknown influences upon the unacclimat-
ed person, and there are alterations of a
subtle sort that render the foreigner I'M
able to resist a tropical climate
DR.. Hart, speaking of the Importance
of natures therapeutic" says that it is
an open secret that the death rate in ty-
phoid fever has been reduced, in the prac-
/ tice Of a New York physician, from 30
per cent to l per cent, or at most per
cent by the use of diet of sweet milk or
buttermilk, aided by the free use of wa
ter and baths, packs, sponging. pure air
and very little medicine. This treatment,
DR.. Hart says, was in entire conformity
with rational Interpretation of natures
laws; the food was the easiest possible
to digest; the hydropathic treatment car
ried off extra heat, Quieted nervousness,
induced restful sleep and washed decom-
posing poisons from the skin so that it
performed its normal functions under the
most favorable circumstances. By this
treatment the whole organism was taxed
in the minimum degree, SO that it had the
best chance to combat disease and re-
gain its lost energy.
DR.. Bonney, writing Of tuberculosis,
claims that many thousand deaths occur
every year from mistaken or DELAYED d.
agnosis. In his own practice II per cent
arrive In Colorado with distinct evidence
Of the disease in both lungs. The aver
age duration Of the disease in the East
had been eighteen months, and the aver
age loss Of weight had been nineteen
pounds. Fifteen per cent of the cases
had followed an attack of la grippe In
Il per cent the onset was of a definite
bronchial character, and In 20 per cent
there was history of sudden hemor-
rhage. Bonney regards the most impor-
tant signs Of pulmonary tuberculosis as
morning cough, daily rise of Temperature
and constitutional disturbances Any and
all OF these, however, may be absent and
| there is no especial sign Of paramount
Importance. DR.. Bonney thinks that,
| aside from a physical examination upon
| the bare skin, the aid of the X-rays is
| Of great Importance.
| Many cases of cough which resist all
| treatment pertaining to the throat or
| lungs are due to some diseases of the ear.
| Cough Is one of the most common reflex
manifestations Of more or less remote
| irritation, and all biologists agree that a.
| cough may be induced by ear disease. DR..
| FAehr, while stating that ear cough is a
! very uncommon affection, advises that
| the ear be examined in every case where
| complaint is made Of the symptom of
| cough alone, for such a cough is spas
modic In character and may cause conges-
| ton Of the larynx and lead the physician
! as well as the patient to believe that the
throat is the cause instead Of the effect.
DR.. Wonkes, speaking Of ear cough. sug-
| gests that draught of cold air striking
/ the ear is occasionally the cause of snas-