The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-11-08
SCARLET FEVER.

To THE EprroR OF TaE Bic SroxE Gar POST
: Since the outbreak Of Ssarle: Fever ID
our town the writer has been amazeu ~
the lack Of information on the nature OF
the disease by people generally ana
have heard so May conflicting statements
of opinion on the question OF its character
as disease that have been impeiied 10
search for what information was WITHIN
nv reach on the subject, and feel mueh
enlightened thereby. With the hope OF
bene6t;ug those of your readers Who per-
hans have not this information, quote the
Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. q, p $40
"Scarlet Fever and Scarlatina are names
applied indifferently to an acute Infectious
disease characterized by high fever ac-
companied with sore throat ana o'"use
red rash upon the skin. OF,
"In connection with the causation OF 'he
disease the following points have been
ascertained:
~ 1t is highly contagious
malady, the infective material being one
of the most subtle, difluse, and lasting
known in fever. 1t seems that the dis
ease is communicable from an early period
Of its occurrence all through its progress
and especially during conyalescence when
the process of disquamation is proceeding
and when the shed-of epidermis which
contains the germs of the disease IN great
L. ,bol In hpPnmQ
attached to articles of clothing, to hnd en-
trance into food. or to lie transmitted IN
other ways to healthy persons
(2) 1t is disease for the most part OF
early life-young children being especially
susceptible-but adults may also suffer II
they have not had the fever in childhood.
90 1t occurs both in isolated cases
(sporsdically) and in epidemics.
~ One attack, in general although not
ALWAYS, confers immunity from another.
(jl Certain constitutional conditions
act as predisposing causes favorlng the
DEVELOPMENT Ofthe fever. Thus, where over
crowdirg prevails. and where the hygenIc
state of children is i'll attended 10 the dis
ease is more likely to prevail and spread,
and to assume in favorable forms. Fur
thermore in the puerpera (or lying in
state eff women there appears TO be spec
ial susceptibility to suffer in dangerous
manner should there he exposure to the
infection Of the fever"
"The period Of incubation in Scarlet fe-
yer (that is, the time elapsing between
the reception of the poison and the devel-
opment Of symptoms) appears to vary.
Sometimes it would appear to be as short
as one or two days, but in most instances
it is probably week"
Regarding the cOnvalencent or peeiIng-
of period it SAYS: "The duration OF this
process is variable, but it is rarely com
pletc before the end of six to eight weeks,
and not infrequently goes or for several
weeks beyond that period, and all through
out its continuance there is further dan
ger of the disease being communicated to
others by the cast-of epdermis scales.
And, here we hope this article will be OF
most benefit to your readers, as few OF us
have any idea of the length OF time requlr-
ed TO render convalescent patient safe
associate for his healthy playmates. The
article referred to is long and exhaustive
treatise on the several forms and various
complications of the disease and while !
feel sure its perusal would be of advantage
to many Of your readers / shall not ask
more of your valuable space, but close
with a well meant appeal to the mothers
who chance to read this article, TO use
every precaution in their power TO protect
not only their own but their heighbor's
children from this treacherOus disease, for
in its maignest form (Which may he con-
tracted from simple Scarlatina) with its
numerous complications and dire results
it is to be dreaded beyond measure. And,
hope, if any of my medical friends lind
error in aught have''said they will do the
public and the writer the kindness to cor
rect same in the next issue Of your paper
or in some other way as speedily as pos
sible as my only desire is to help my fell
low man and not to lead him into error
A MOTHER.
Big Stone Gap, Va, Nov. 7.