The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-06-13
iIUMP SARE SERIOUS
WHEN CMPCOL|ATED
Protect Patient and Prevent Con-
tagion, Says the Georgia
State Board of Health.

Atlanta, Ga-The danger IN
mumps, or what is known to medical
science as epidemic parotitls, is not
SO much in the disease itself as IN
| the complications which are liable to
attend it. For this reason 1t is I'M
portant that the patient be carefully
pl otected against possible complica-
lions, and also that precautions be
taken against spreading the contas-
ion, says the Georgia State Board Oh
| heath.
The cause of humps has never been
definitely determined. Like the ma
| iorily of the diseases of chlldnoou'
ii is among the mysteries OF medi-
cine But it is a we'll established fact
that the disease is contagious anu
can be transmitted from one person
TO another.
While infants and adults are rare
ly attacked by mumps, they may nave
II. and care should be taken to aVola
the contagion. The greatest period OF
of liability to the disease Is tfom
TOUR to fifteen years of age
| Mumps Is one of the Oldest OF
known diseases. 1t was accurately
described by Hippocrates, the an
cient Greek physician who noted the
suppuration of the parotid gland, ana
the secondary Inflammation OF Ine
sexual organs was even known W
him. 1t does not appear to be hmlree
nv climate. though the colder season
in the temperate zone is more laVor'
able to it. and it is noted that II IS
more frequent in prolonged cold ana
wet weather.
I How the Contagon Is Spread.
| 1t has been demonstrated that the
contagion may be carried In various
ways. person may contract mulhps
bv being directly exposed to one nav
ing the disease: indirectly by coming
into contact with third person VINO
has been exposed to it, or by rece-V-
ulng the infection from some afIlcle
that has been used or handled by Tie
| patient having the disease. The Dang
er of contagion is not so great DIS M
the eruptive feverS, such as Small
nox. scarlet fever, measles and the
like. nor is it ordinarily accompanied
bv such serious or dangerous ccmph-
cations.
Nevertheless there occur OCCASION
ally serious and sometimes very pam
iful complications such as sloughlh9
of the parotid glands, painful SVEN
ling of the sexual glands followed OIL
ten by an atrophy or surveying OF
these organs. Besides these compn
cations mumps has been known &c
induce commissions, menlngltls, III
hammation of the joints and pancreas
deafness, facial paralysis, bright
disease and in very occasional cases
loss of memory. -.
Because of these possible compii
cations if is well to avoid exposure
tO the disease as far as possible
Children with mumps should not only
he taken from school, but should De
isolated, and the same precautions
should be taken as in the case or oth-
er contagious diseases. Whlle 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 humps loss Of ac-
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. Gin
biateral attack both sides become
swollen, Fever may develop, mildly
at first and going sometimes as high
as 1O4. Even higher temperatures
have been noted. The swelling be-
comes conspicuous from the ear
down; the skin, pale, glistenlng,
and tense: the tongue coated. Chew
ing becomes a painful process; diff
fculty in caring for the mouth may
cause bad, smelling breath. Nausea
| and vomiting are often noted.
| Inc ClUIo WHICH e-dpoSo pcIWO cen
exposure and development of the
disease probably averages a little
more than two weeks. Contagfon is
possible during the entire course OF
the attack 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
mumps or mumps on both sides. The
swelling is usually at its height by
the end of the third day. 1t may eX-
tend down into the tissues of the
neck. Alter remaining stationary for
two or three days, the swelling
gradually diminishes and disappears.
| In an attack of mumps the patient
should be isolated and a physician
called Applications of warm oil are
ncod with oo0d affect The mouth