Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-07-07

measures may be resorted to DIS illsiiiaii
pox.
Even when the great danger of fatal
termination-which is always present in
case of malignant scarlet fever-has
been skilfully averted there are yet
other evils to be guarded against. Deaf
ness, blindness, epilepsy and chronic
rheumatism are some of the i'll effects
that this grievous malady often leaves in
its wake, and against all such possible
complications the nurse must ever be on
the watch. AS precaution against
chills, which are bound to be attended
with serious consequences, the child
should wear flannel jacket over his
nightgown, and upon no account should
his body ever be exposed to the air.
Whatever external treatment is given
whether lamentations, poultices, baths
or the application of soothing lotions or
unguents-all should be done under the
cover of blanket, and in similar fashion
should all changes of clothing be effected.
1t seems scarcely necessary to add
that scarlet fever, like diphtheria, must
be counted among the most virulent OF
contagious diseases, and treatment OF II
whether it appear in its severest form
or its mildest-invariabl calls for the
most stringent quarantine. Distinction
must be thoroughly and Systematically
carried out throughout the entire dura-
ton of the illness, and the patient must
be kept isolated for at least two weeks
after convalescence is to all intents and
purposes complete. In no case should
he be permitted to come in contact with
anyone save doctor and nurse until the
skin has entirely regained its normal
condition. A warm bath in which
has been poured solution of
boracic acid, must be given Immediately
upon his vacating the sick room, the
head being washed as well as the body;
then, clothed in clean garments that
have not been in the sick room, he
NAV be allowed to resume once more his
usual place in the family circle.
Infection in scarlet fever is conveyed
by means of the flakes of cuticle-often
exceedingly minute-that are shed IN
the process of desquamation; hence, as
every article in the sick room becomes
imprecnated with the poison, it follows
that all must be disinfected, together
with the sick room itself, as soon as the
patient is removed Clothing, bed-linen,
towels, ETC., must be plunged into the
disinfecting fluid recommended IN
previous article before leaving the room,
and must in no circumstances be washed
with the family linen. The scarlet fever
microbe is peculiarly sturdy one, and,
unless the system of disinfection be OF
the most thorough description, it will
retain its vitality for months and even
years-to the peril of all who may chance
to come into its vicinity.
Among certain old-fashioned folk there
prevails wholly groundless but none
the less positive conviction that measles
and whooping cough are as much part
of human destiny as teething, and that
the sooner they are over with the better;
and in Difference to this ridiculous sup
position children are often exposed
pnrposely to infection. Notwithstand-
inc the contagious nature of the ailment,
there is nothing especially dangerous
about measles, provided the patient be
properly nursed; but it is none the less
criminal on that account to wantonly
expose any child to disease. :. -.
An attack of measles manifestS itself
chiefly in congestion OF the mucous
membranes-similart to that produced by
severe cold in the head-extreme sensi-
tiveness of and a pricking sensation in
the eyes, dry cough, sore throat, pun
ness of the cheeks and, not infrequently,
bleeding from the nose. Usually there
is high fever and rapid pulse-symp-
toms which'are occasionally cOmplicat-
ed by delirium and commissions. On
the fourth day after seizure the eruption
appears-in the first instance on the
face-in the shape of small, dark red
spots that, when closely examined, are
seen to be of crescent shape, and not
round. As the rash spreads the fever
usually decreases; and on the third day
of the eruption-that is, on the seventh
day after the commencement of the at
tack-the spots begin to turn brown
and DISSEMINATION begins. At this stage
of the malady diarrh@a frequently oc-
curs-a phase which should be at once
reported to the attending physician.
1t has been observed that measles is
not generally considered dangerous; but
this statement must in measure be
qualified, for, in the event of the patient
experiencing a chill, serious compiled
tons may be expected to ensue. The
most apparent peril is from bronchitls
and pneumonia; hence it is of para.
mount importance that the chest be well
protected against cold. If the breathing
be difficult hot poultice of mustard
and oatmeal may be applied over the
region of the pleura, or the part may be
rubbed with warm camphorated oil and
covered with flannel. In the event of
sudden disappearance of the rash, which
is always a grave symptom, the patient
should be at once plunged into warm
Observation-Disclosures bath, remaining in it
for four or five minutes. When the sur
face of the body reddens lie should be
taken out, wrapped in well-warmed
blanket, put back to bed, and the physl-
clan summoned. A small dose of brandy
or other stimulant will be found useful
in such cases.
An attack of whooping cough does
not make itself apparent quite so readily
as one of measles or scarlet fever. The
first symptoms are those of slight
cold, with short, dry cough that is
most pronounced when the child is eat
ing; but a week or two may elapse be-
fore the unmistakable ''whoop' is heard.
The paroxysms, though severe, are not
actually dangerous unless accompanied
by commissions, which should always be
treated by physician. Should medical
aid not be readily attainable, however,
the hot Observation-Disclosures bath-the
mothers ''stand-by"-should be at once
resorted to. If suffocation appears to
be imminent the danger may be averted
by laying the child on his back, elevat-
ing his arms high above his. head, and
then bringing them down and press
ing them on the chest. Plunging the
feet into hot Observation-Disclosures and
dashing little cold water into the face
will also afford relief.
When the breathing is labOred a hot
mustard and oatmeal poultice should be
applied to the chest until the surface is
well reddened-though blistering is al
ways to be carefully avoided; and
thorough rubbing every night and morn
ing with warm camphorated oil will also
be found beneficial. Whenever oil Is
applied, however, additional precautions
against cold are necessary, and the
anointed part should afterward be kept
WARMLY covered with clean, soft flannel.