Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-12-04
A Nurse on Measles.

A Nurse on Measles.
Measles Is an acute febrile disease, af-
fecting in successive stages the mucous
membranes and the skin. characterized
by catarrhal symptoms from the begin
ming, it is highly contagious, and occurs,
a. rule, but once in the same person.
Until about the eighteenth century
measles was not clearly distinguished
from small pox, of which 1t was general
ly regarded as peculiar and benign
manifestation.
It il widely prevalent and chiefly af.
fects children. 1t is rare among adults,
but when it attacks them Is usually
severe.
The incubation period lasts from
twelve to fourteen days. The invasion
period il marked by symptoms OF cold
in the head and some feverishness.
There is sneezing, running at the eyes
and nose of watery mucus, q patchy
redness of the mouth and fauces, and
perhaps an irritable cough. On the
fourth day the eruption begins to ap'
pear about the neck, behind the ears, on
the forehead, and then on the chest,
gradually invading the rest Of the body
and extremities. When the eruption is
severe, there is commonly more or less
swelling of the skin, especially of the
face, disfiguring and changing the ex-
preston, also the backs of the hands
swell. 1t attains its height in from two
to three days, then gradually declines:
The rash consists of small red papules
which increase in size and form crescentf
or irregular circles. There is some
branny desquamation for week after
wards. Tho complications likely to oc
cur in measles are those affecting the
lungs, inflammation of the ear and ear
ache, or cOnjunctivitis may supervene'
Diarrhea is an ordinary compiled
ton, therefore aperients should
if possible, be avoided, as the subse
quent diarrhea may prove troublesome
In more severe cases delirium and grea'
prostration is present, and gangrene OF
the cheek or vulva in delicate, feeble
children is sometimes fatal event.
The contagion of measles is very active
at an early period before the appearance
of the rash, WREN the catarrh Is present
The child should be placed in bed, ano
remain there until all fever has subsidized
The temperature of the room should be
IS degrees-72 degrees-even in milo
case. The room should be slightly dark
ened but not absolutely so, the edge Of
the eyelids ought to be once or twice
day lightly smeared with fresh cold
cream or with vaseline, or borated vase
line; the throat and nasal passages may
be advantageously sprayed as in scarlet
fever. Sponge with lukewarm water
with baking soda or boracic acid to re-
lieve itching.
The child should not leave the room
till one week after the disappearance oil
fever. He should not leave the house
for three weeks.
Every care should be exercised to pre-
vent chilling of the surface during con
valescence, for some of the most obsti
nate chronic diarrhea and lung catarrhi
may be easily perpetuated; especially II
those of tubercular faint precautions
against cold are necessary. Also avoit
anything tending to aggravate the cough
or produce pulmonary complications
II these occur they will require specia
management. Attention should be paid
to complaints of earache In children ant
any discharge noticed. The creates,
caution is required with feeding during
this disease. 1t is the old story of chill
dren's dietetics-the avoidance of excess
of food and especially of fermenting sub
stances (starches, sugars.) A conva
descent stomach, pancreas, and duodenun
must be fed with small quantities, ant
not too frequently, so as not to tax theil
still small powers.
In all cases, many of the complications
and many serious results are caused by
neglect, or the physicians orders MOI
being carefully carried out.-Ex.