The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1916-03-02

fs~.Ne~'-s.sA ~ -
Preventive lEedicine u ~
Univsrsity q llissosri
q Columbia
Measles is perhaps the mSs
widespread of epidemic disea1e
known. 1t is perhaps the mos
READILY communicable Of all dis
eases. 1t is present more or les
all of the time in cities in iii
Temperate Zone. Ep.jemics a.
likely to occur during the zoo
months of the year.
Experiment has proved that I'll,
germ is contained in the blood
and also in the secretions If til,
nose and mouth. 1t is most con
tagious before the eruption come.
out. The germ disappears from
the blood soon afteN the eruption
appears. All persons are liable
to measles, but rs it is SO wide,
spread the great majority Of peo.
| pie contract it during childhood
consequently it is usually consid.
cred a childhood disease. Adults
have it much less frequently than
children, but this is because they
have already had it,
The popular idea is that it is a
trivial disease and should not be
countenanced. 1t is often fatal
both in adults and in children,
pneumonia being the usual cause
of death. 1t is particularly fatal in
so-called scrofulous children, and
it is not uncommon for tuberculo-
sis to develop in children who
have recovered from the measles.
When it becomes prevalent in
new population the death rate is
high. For example, in the Sand
witch Islands, out of 10000 pop
ulation, 10000 died in four months
time.
Since the virus is contained in
the secretions of the nose and
mouth it is evident that infection
usually takes place through these
secretions. 1t probably enters the
body also through the mouth and
nose. Of all contagious diseases
known, measles is one which ap-
parently travels through the air.
at the Pasteur Hos
pital in Paris where each patient
is in a separate alcove opening in |
to common hall without any
physical barrier whatever, no case
of measles is spread from one pa
tent to another, consequently we
are sure that contagion takes
place by direct contact in a great |
majority of eases. It seems Ger
tain that the spray produced by |
and sneezing also car
lies the infection.
The prevention of measles is one
If the most difficult problems
which face the health officer, &C.
ording to DR.. NJ. p. Ravenel of
he Department of Preventive
ledicine Of the University of Mis-
ouri at Columbia. The disease is
nost contagious in the early stag
s before a diagnosis is made, con-
the harm is already
one. The early symptoms are
cry much like those of an ordi- !,
airy cold, consequently they at |
ract little attention, and other
Asses are so extremely mild that
he diagnosis is impossible until
ne eruption appears. Neverthe-
'ss, such cases can give a virulent
ype Of the disease to other per-
ons. The common habit of ex- :
osing children to measles SO that .
1ey can have them while they are !
Dung is entirely wrong. Of the :
eaths which occur nearly 50 per
emit are in children under 5 years .
{ age. Isolation of the sick is
le one measure which is efficient :
n preventing the spread of the !
isease. !
Visiting should not be allowed,
ut it should be remembered that !;
no amount of isolation after the .
iSoaso il rocn0nsxeI1 nan afnnn fn
lie harm done before the diagno- :
s is made. +" Disinfection of the
,om after a case of measles does :
ot seem to be worth while 1t is
EST, however, to leave . room in
hich measles has occurred empty
i'd have it well summed and aired 9
.fore reoccupying. Bedding, !
'wa|s, handkerchief etc., should I.
, boiled. I
Medical inspection and isola- !