Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-05-16
NUM- SARE SERIOUS
WHEN CMPCOLIATED
Protect Patient and Prevent Con-
tagion, Says the Georgia
State Board of Health.

mumps. or what is known TO meulcdi
science as epidemic parotltis, Is not
SO much in the disease itself as IN
the complications which are haole 10
attend it. For this reason 1t Is III
portant that the patient be care1ulIy
protected against possible complic"-
tions, and also that precautions De
taken against spreading the contag,
ion, says the Georgia state Board Vi
Health.
The cause of mumps has never been
definitely determined. Like the ma
jority of the diseases OF chlIdhoou'
it is among the mysteries OF medl-
cine But ii is a wei established TACT
that the disease is contagious ana
can be transmitted from che person
to another.
While Infants and adults are rare
" ATTACKED by mumps, they may nave
it, and care should be taken to aFoId
the contagion. The greatest period oI
of liability to the disease is nom
four to fifteen years Of age.
Mumps is one of the Oldest OIL
known diseases. 1t was accurately
described by Hippocrales, the an
cient Greek physician who noIeu Ihe
suppuration of the parotld glaho' anu
the secondary Inflammation OF the
sexual organs was even known 10
him. It does not appear to be limited
nv climate. though the colder season
in the temperate zone is more FAVOR
able to it. and it is noted that II IS
more frequent in prolonged cold ana
wet weather
How the Contagion Is Spread.
1t has been demonstrated that the
contagion may be carried in various
ways. A person may contract mumps
by being directly exposed to one nav
ing the disease: indirectly by coming
into contact with a third person VINO
has been exposed to it, or by recelV'
ming the infection from some article
that has been used or handled by the
patient having the disease. The dang
er of contagion is not so great as IN
the eruptiye fevers, such as small
pox, scarlet fever, measles and the
like. nor is it ordinarily accompanied
by such serious or dangerous compI-
cations.
Nevertheless there occur occasion
allv serious and sometimes very pain
full complications such as sloughlng
of the parotid glands, painful swell
ing of the sexual glands followed Of
ten by an atrophy or shriVel1ng OF
these organs. Besides these compll-
cations humps has been known 10
induce commissions, meningitis, In
fiammation of the joints and pancreas,
deafness, facial paralysis, bright
disease and in very occasional cases.
loss of memory.
Because of these possible compll-
cations it is we'll to avoid exposure
to the disease as far as possible.
Children with mumps should not only
be taken from school, but should be
isolated, and the same precautions
should be taken as in the case OF 9th
er contagious diseases. While the
thorough disinfection of soiled bed
and body clothing, including handker-
chiefs and cloths used for the collec-
tion of discharges from the nose and
mouth, is regarded as important in
preventing the spread of the contag-
ion, fumigation of the room following
recovery of the patient is not regard
ed as essential.
The Symptoms of Mumps.
In an attack of mumps loss of &C
tiyity is noted, accompanied by pal
lor and lassitude: the child may be-
come irritable and complain of ear
ache which will be followed by the
swelling of one side of the face. Tin
a bilateral attack both sides become
swollen). Fever may develop, mildly
at first, and going sometimes as high
as 104. Even higher temperatures
have been noted. The swelling be-
comes CONSPICUOUS from the ear
down; the skin, pale, glistening
and tense; the tongue coated Chew
ing becomes a painful process; diff
1iculty in caring for the mouth may
cause bad smelling breath. Nausea
and vomiting are often noted.
The time which elapses between
exposure and development of the
disease probably averages a little
more than two weeks. Contagion is
possible during the entire course of
the aeack and also several days af
ter the swelling of the parotid glands
has disappeared. The patient should
be isolated therefore. for three weeks
after the beginning of the symptoms
or for ten days after the swelling has
subsidized.
There are two parotid glands, one
on either side of the face, just in
front of and extending slightly below
the ear Both of these glands are
usually involved the patient having
what is sometimes called double
humps or mumps on both sides. The
swelling is usually at its height bv
the end of the third day. 1t may ey-
tend down into the tissues of the
neck. After remaining stationary for
two or three days, the swelling
gradually diminishes and disappears
In an attack of mumps the patient
should be isolated and physician
called Applications of warm oil are