The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-04

still continues unaDateu. ieSteiu"s
there was another case reported, ana
one OF scarletina.
.. In view OF the notion prevailing that
measles Is a harmless disease. and un-
der that mistaken belief many parents
needlessly expose the children to IT,,
the board of trade of this city has
thought 1t wise at this time, when the
disease has become so prevalent here,
to issue a note of warning. Following
are found few facts as to it's dam
gerous tendencies and few simple
precautionary measures and advice as
to treat it. These are culled from a
pamphlet issued by the state board of
health:
Measles is an eruptive, contagious
disease most common in childhood. 1t
is of such universal prevalence and
the attacks are often so mild that it
has come to be looked upon as dis
ease which is dangerous neither to life
or health. This view is, however, en-
tirely erroneous, death or permanent
injuries to the body often resulting
from the disease. More than 10000
persons die annually from measles in
Great Britain. It killed, in other words,
let. typhoid, typhus and other fevers
and smallpox, all put together In tEe
city Of Pittsburg, for the twelve years
preceding 1894, the average number OF
deaths from measles was eighty-three.
This would give an average annual
mortality for this>state Of 2.075. But
1t is not because Of the deaths alone
that measles IL q dangerous disease.
1t often leaves the eyes. ears, bowels,
respiratory passages and the lungs in
a weakened and dangerous condition.
Impaired eyes and ears often date
from an attack Of measles. There is
good reason for believing that measles
may leave children predisposed to con-
sumption Of the lungs and bowels. 1t
is because of these facts that the state
board of health has published Cir
cular, believing that many lives and
much suffering may be saved by fol-
lowing it's teachings.
PERSONS LIABLE TO MEASLES.
Measles is most commonly seen in the young
although any person who has not had the dis
ease is liable to contract it. Very few persons
escape it until adult life. Second ATTACKS have
been quite frequently observed OF late years,
and it has even been known to occur third
time. 1t is very severe in adults.
PERIODS OF INCUBATION AND INFECTIOUS
NESS
The least period required to develop tie dis
ease after exposure is four days; the average
period is nine ten days; the greatest Is four
teen days
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Measles may be avoided by sending children
from home when an epidemic prevails, by keep
ing them from day and Sabbath schools. snd by
isolating the patients thus preventing all COM
n,unication with well children.
Quarantine should extend to fifteen days from
Ill, last exposure to infection and until conf
p'ctc recovery. Nurses should be puarantircd
with their patients.
rhcsr sick with measles need little medication,
Unless complications arise, hut great and
uood nursing. 1t is important to call in a
physician at the start. and to Obtain from him
tho fullest directions for the management OF the
ease, and to follow these implicitly.
PRECAUTIONS DURING CONVALESt ENCE
Use every means to prevent taking cold. and
vntil ,oycry is we'll established don't allow tic
patient to no upon damp ground without over
shoes. or into The cold without heng well
wrapped up For violation Of these precau.
tons IA life may he the penalty. Ii the eyes
hccomc sore and weak. they often do during
the attack. the room should be darkened and
aiT of the eyes forbidden for reading, sewing,
or similar purposes until corvaesccncn welt
established.
Remember, measles is Il dangerous disease and
10 he avoided ii possible, children Should never
h" IurpcScly or ncedlessly exposed to il.
Should a cold. bronchitis catarrh, sore eles
or discharges from the or deafness rcmain
after an attack of measles, the child should Ne
continued under physicians care, and every
effort made by means oi proper food and cloth
ing 10 speedily rcs"rc it TO its normal health.