The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-09-27

TOTAL OF q on HAND

Chief Health Officer Levy gave out
the following statement yesterday re-
gardins the scarlet fever situation in
Richmond
While there is nothing approach
ing an epidemic Of scarlet fever in
Richmond at the present time. the
number of cases OF this disease Is
greatr than Ne look for AT this season
of the year The month Of Septesp-
Der opened with ten cases on hand cot
which hNe have since recovered
Nineteen new cases have been report =
ed during the present month. making a
total OF twenty -four cases OF scarlet
fever now on hand.
There are certain features in con
nectlon with the scarlet fever situation
In Richmond al the present time whic..
II Is we'll for the physicians of Rich
mond. as we'll the general pubic
to bear In mind, Within the last week.
three cases have come under the no.
lice of the Richmond health depart
ment in which the diagnosis was not
made untn late in the course of the
disease. In two of these cases the
attending ply stefan did not make a
diagnosis until ''peeling' was we'll I'M
der way. The third case had no ply
by our medical inspector during the
course OF other work This case was
peeling freely when seen, and was
playing on the street with other chill
dren. The two cases In which al =
though there was an attending ply
stefan. no diagnosis was made until
late In the course Of the disease, had
not been Guaranteed.
Quarantine Neglected.
IN addition to these three cases,
there have been several others in
which we had every reason to believe
that little attention was given 70 prop
er Quarantine, although in none OF
these instances was the evidence sur,
cient to report the matter to police
court.
while there Is nothing approa ching
an epidemic OF scarlet. fever in Rich
F1ond at the present time, nor is there
any cause for the slightest alarm, II
Is nevertheless well TO direct atten-
ton to the situation. Scarlet Iever
u isichmond for number of years
past, judging from the number Of
deaths recorded, has been OF a mild
type. There We're only two deaths
from this disease during 1907 1908,
1909 and 1910. and there wac one
death in March of this year. TIE dis
ease. however, is one which can never
De taken lightly, as 1t may, without
warning, take on great virulence.
Advises Watchfulness.
AS matters now stand. every moth
or. or other person having charge Of
children, should be exceedingly. watch
Iui and should call In the family ply
Acian upon the first appearance OF
symptoms which are at all suspicious
sore throat, stomach disturbances
and. above all, the appearance or a
rash demand immediate Investigation
The rash In scarlet fever Is usually
well distributed over the body. ana
ID marked by absence OF special
splotches or bumps such as are pres
ent In measles and chicken-pox. The
rash closely resembles the appearance
produced by a moderate scald.
Corporation OF the people in Sc.
curing prompt medical attention. and
In following quarantine regulations
win do more than anything else to-
wards limiting the spread of the dis
ease.
1.-The physicians OF Richmond are
specially urged to bear in mind the
possibility OF scarlet fever In all cases
In which the diagnosis of some other
condition is not perfectly clear. They
are further urged not only to report
to the health department Immediate
ly every recognized case of scarlet
fever, but to report cases which are
ssgarded a. SUSPICIOUS"