The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-27
ISSUES WARNING
On SCARLET FEVER
No Epidemic in Sight, but An
Parents Urged to Be
Careful.
ONE CASES NEGLECTED
Health Officer Levy Gives In
structions Regarding
Disease.

While there is nothing approaching
an epidemic of scarlet fever IN Rich
mond at the present time. still the
number of cases of that disease is
greater than was expected at this sea-
son of the year. The month OF Sep
TENDER opened with ten cases OF hand,
of which five have since recovered. and
nineteen new cases have been reported
curing the present month, making L
total OF twenty-four cases OF scarlet
fever now on hand.
There are certain features in con-
nectton with the scarlet fever situa-
ton of Richmond at the present time
which 1t Is we'll for the physicians of
Richmond, as we'll as the general pub.
lie. to bear in mind" said Chief Health
officer +. c. Levy yesterday. within
the last week three cases have coma
under the notice of tho Richmond
Health Department, in which the
diagnosis was not made until late in
the course OF the disease. In two OF
these cases the attending physician did
not make diagnosis until 'peeling'
was we'll under way. and :he third
case had no physician in attendance,
but was found by our medical inspec-
tor during the course Of other work.
This case was peeling freely when
seen. and was playing on the street
with other children. The Two cases in
which. although there was an attend
ing physician, no diagnosis was made
until late in the course OF the disease
had not been quarantined.
Little Attention TO Quarantine.
I'm edition TO these three cases,
ther. have been several others n
whica We had every reason to believe
that little attention was given to
proner quarantine. although In none
of these instances was the evidence
sufficient to report the matter to the
Police Court.
While there is nothing approach
ing an epidemic, nor is there any
cause for the slightest alarm. r. Is,
nevertheless, well to direct attention
to the situation. Scarlet fever in Rich
mond for number of years past. judg-
Ing from the number or deaths re-
corded. has been OF mild type
There were only two deaths from
this disease during 1907. 1905, 1909 and
1910, and there was one death III
March of this year. The disease, how.
ever. Is one which can never be taken
lightly, as IT may, without warning.
take on great virulence.
Watch for symptums.
AS matters now stand. every moth.
er, or other person having charge Of
children. should be exceedingly watch.
sician upon the frst appearance Of
symptoms which are at all Suspicious.
sore throat, stomach disturbances, and.
above all. the appearance of rash dc g,
mand immediate investigat on. Tho
rash in scarlet fever is usually well
distributed over the body, and is
marked by absence of special splotches
or bumps, such are present in
measles and chickenpox. The ra sh
closely resembles the appearance pro
duced By moderate scald
'Co-operation of the people in Sc
curing prompt medical attention. and
In following quarantine regulations
Will do more than anything else to-
wards limiting the spread OF the dis.
ease.
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, an1
they are further urged not only tc
report to the Health Department i'm.
mediately every recognized case OF
! scarlet fever, but also to report cases
which are regarded as suspicious"