The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-10
SCARLET FEVER.

Scarlet Fever is an acute, conta-
gious, self limited disease, character
lied by sudden onset. fever and erup-
ton, one attack usually protecting the
individual thru life but second and
third attacks are known. Occurs at
all seasons of the year. but is probably
more frequent in the autumn and
winter
The disease was recognized by In
grassias and Coyttar in the 18th CEN
fury. but was first fully described by
Sydenham (1560); before this it was
known as Measles. Scarlet Fever was
introduced into America in 1873.
The direct cause of the disease is
unknown but certain Investigators
have found a certain germ in $50 of
cases, and while this does not prove
the germ as the cause of the disease,
it is a well known fact that the germ
has an important part in the compH-
cations that are so common in Scarlet
Fever. The germ circulates in the
blood.
Susceptibility is not universal and
varies according to age: only 2S% of
children and so of adults exposed to
infection acquire the disease. Ninety
per cent of cases occur under 10 years
of age; as age increases. the liability
to infection decreases, The disease is
rare during the first year of life. In
lection is sometimes spread two
months after scaling is complete. In
no other disease is the cause so hard
to kill; it may persist as long as ten
years in clothes; furniture and on the
walls. Light forms of the disease are
Just as dangerous as the severe forms
The mode of entrance of the exciting
cause is not known, but probably
thru the throat.
Scarlet Fever Carriers
As to the degree of infectiousness,
Scarlet Fever ranks third The infec-
ton is spread by any third person,
books, toys clothes. milk and in
schools. Cats. dogs and other dQmes-
tic animals have been known to con-
yev the disease In a city the bed
clothing of a Scarlet Fever patient
while airing in the window. has been
known to convey the disease to an ad-
joining house
During the twelve months Of the
of Scarlet Fever reported to the city
health department. During only two
months May and August, no cases
were reported There were no deaths
recorded as due to Scarlet Fever.
Seven cases wer rportd during March,
which is the highest single number Tor
any one month.
The Bulletin of the wisconsin
state board of health states that the
danger in Scarlet Fever. from COM
munity standpoint does not rest in the
well marked type of the disease as il
commonly occurs, beginning with vom-
iting and characterized by high fever,
eruption, sore throat, discharge from
the nose, and the so-ca1Ied strawberry
tongue. Such cases are easily recog-
nized by the Iaity. and prompt meas
ures for quarantine are effective"
Scarlet Fever varies more in inten-
sity than any other Of the eruptive dis
eases. This is the reason why the
disease is so prevalent as many cases
are not recognized and are permitted
to go about and infect others For
example: The sore throat may be so
slight as to escape notice. The rash
may fade in to IL hours. In such
cases no physician may be called;
there is no isolation; and one to four
teen days later other members Of the
family. or neighbors. have attacks
Symptoms of the Disease
Edwards states that the preliminary
stage may pass with no noticeable
symptoms other than loss of appetite
and slight depression. and may last
from two to fourteen days. McCollom
places the average at ten to fourteen
days
stage of invasion lasts one day.
symptoms begin suddenly. often with
a. chill. This followed by vomiting
early and characteristics. which occurs
in Scarlet Fever more often (75fo
than in any other diseases Of child
hood. except pneumonia headache,
dizziness Commissions and deiirium: