The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1914-04-03

premises Dut the attending physl-
clans, health officers, and in case
Of death, licensed embalmer.
2. The quarantine period for
scarlet fever shall never be less
than three weeks, and patients
are only then to be allowed free
dom if their noses, threats and
ears are. in healthy state, this
to be determined by the health
officer. In some cases of scarlet
fever a running ear" may re-
suit. The discharge from this is
infectious and may be the cause
of new cases arising from this
source.
8. All persons having occupi-
ed an apartment where quaran-
tine for scarlet fever existed must
have their clothes disinfected and
take disinfecting bath before
being released from quarantine.
4. No milk, butter or other
dairy product shall be sold or
given to any party or delivered
at any creamery or butter factory
from house quarantined be-
cause of presence of scarlet fever
therein.
By DR.. H. E. Nicholson.
Scarlet fever is an acute infectious
and contagious disease of unknown
origin, characterized by diffuse red
rash and usually accompanied by a
sore threat.
The disease is one of the oldest of
the contagious diseases and was de-
scribed by the earlier writer's of
medicine under the name of Febris
Scarletina. Although the early writ
ers did not have any Of the instru-
ments of precision, such as the mi
croscope for making accurate dag
nosis, nor did they have knowledge
of bacteriology, still they were keen
and patient observers and their &C.
counts of this disease, especially that
written by Sydenham in 1875, were sc
complete that little has been added in
these more scientific later years
Scarlet fever is a widespread infec.
ton and exists in nearly all parts Of
the globe and attacks all races. The
death rate is high. In England ane
Wales in 1908 there ware 4158 deaths
from scarlet fever, as compared with
10000 in 1883, showing that strict
quarantine did prevent it's spread, ant
with smaller number infected there
was a corresponding drop in the mum
Der of deaths. With better hospita
facilities: trained nursing and MUM
cipaI care'Sof theupoor in City, hospi:
tails where proper treatment could be
administered, the death rate has sub
sided and is now in Boston 6 to 3.94
per 1000 cases varying with the in
tensity of the current epidemic. Thu
months of July, August and Septem
Der show the smallest number of cases
while April to the middle of May
show the largest number. The
scarcity of the disease in the summe,
monts is explained by the closing
of schools and therefore the cessa.
ton of the daily congregation for SC
many hours day of infected material
into small areas where contact is
inevitable.
Age a Factor.
Age is an important predisposing
factor. Ninety per cent of the fatal
cases are under the tenth year. Suck
lings are rarely ever attacked. All
ages, however, take the disease.
Certain families seem to be especi-
ally susceptible and it is now a rare
occurrence to see entire families kill
ed in rapid succession, while on the
other hand, individuals who are con-
stantly exposed, such as doctors, may
go through life without ever becom-
ing infected. The natives Of India
are said to enjoy comparative free
dom from the disease. One attack
usually confers immunity, but cases
of second infection have been noted.
The specific germ of scarlet fever
is not known, but the recent pains
taking researches of DR.. C. E. Rose
now of Chicago (who is classmate
of DR.. Mcintyre of this city, seem to
point that the germs which cause
tonsilitis, acute articular rheuma-
tism, erysepilas and scarlet fever are
closely related, and that though GER
tain processes such as exposure to
cold, insufficient nourishment, over
exertion, etc., the germs become at
tenuated and the form that the dis
ease assumes depends upon the de-
gree of attenuation. Thus the germ
in one individual might cause acute
tonsilitis, while in another scarlet
fever may result.
Symptoms.
The incubation period is from one
to seven days. It is variable and
cases have been observed where the
individual was taken with the dis
ease very shortly after being expos
ed, while in others it has taken a
week or even longer.
AS rule the onset is sudden, the
natient has a high fever. the throat is