The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1910-03-24
MEASLES.

There are mild epidemics Of mea-
sizes with but few deaths, and severe
epidemics of measles with considera-
having a very severe epidemic with
many deaths.
1t is essentially a disease of the
skin and mucous membranes.
1t is usually a winter diease, but
may occur In summer.
1t is universally contagious, and
rarely does an unimmuned person es-
cape after a good exposure. A good
exposure may be gotten from being
in the house with the disease for a
very short time.
The infection can be carried some
distance through an open window;
or 1t can be carried for miles by doc
tors or nurses or parents on their
clothing, or by patients coming out
OF the sick room too soon.
A previous attack gives immunity.
The disease should never be con-
sidered lightly. Some people think
1t is best to let the children have it
and be done with it. There is a worst
time to have it and best time
The worst time is during a severe
epidemic or in extremely cold wealth
er; or while the individual is very
much run down, or the opsonic index
or resisting power is low from some
weakening disease or other cause.
The summer season is the best
time to have measles.
There are times and conditions
when some individuals ought not to
have measles at all.
1t is very fatal in the pregnant wo-
man; the drunkard; rundown, poor
ly clad and poorly nourished children
under 3 to years; invalids; old peo-
pie in their second childhood.
Internal measles in the lungs and
kidneys are extremely fatal.
II you go out too soon or let your
child go out too soon and in this way
knowingly and carelessly communi-
cate measles to person that is least |
conditioned to combat the trouble, |
you are guilty of crime. You are
many times dealing out death to 9TH
ers, and there is no doubt but that |
you should be prosecuted.
People have been known to take
their children from house to house.
from place to place, while the dis
ease was in full bud or full bloom.
Quite recently some people still
bearing the contagium of measles.
nave gone out, mingled with the pub
nc and caused several deaths among
people who were not in a condition
TO withstand the disease.
Measles patients running at large
should be promptly run in, and some
body made to be responsible for the
"anton carelessness of letting them
'ut too soon. They should be kept
n for ten days from the time of ap-
parent recovery.
The clothing should be changed
Ifter the patient has had a thorough
bath with hot water and soap in a
warm room.
People have been returning to the
actory. to church. to secular schools
md to Sunday-school too early AFTER
having had measles.
Period OF incubation, II days.
Minimum incubation, 9 days.
Maximum incubation, FL DAYS.
Duration Of the disease, two to-
hree weeks.
Duration Of febrile, catarrhal
tage, four days.
Period Of invasion, two DAYS.
Duration of eruptive stage, two to
i've days.
Duration of stage of desquamation.
ne week.
Complication: Pneumonia, nephri-
is, tuberculosis, Inflammation of the
yes and eyelids, gastro-intestinalI l
ongestion and catarrh. sore mouth.
Inflammation of the heart mem
ranes, laryngitis, catarrh of the ears !
nth chronic discharge. Il
Symptoms-Coated tongue, head
che. fever. cough, congested eyes
18th photophobia.
Contagion indoors: from the time I
the initial fever till DISSEMINATION I
over. La