Evening journal., 1921-03-05
CALL DOCTOR
IF CHILDREN
ARENOT WELL
leontlnued dom page onel

while the number rs not consluefeu
large for city the size Of Whining
ton. it shows that the disease is
spreading. In addition to the num-
Der reported to the Board Of Health,
it is feared there are many more
cases not reported.
During the epidemic Of last spring,
the larger number Of scarlet fever
cases was confined principally TO
the southwestern part of the city
and among the foreign population.
This time. the greater number OF
cases reported to the Board OF
Health are from the western part OF
the Ninth Ward, a section or the
CITY hitherto considered most healthy
on account OF the adjacent park
lands and the fact that the homes in
that section are Of a modern type,
with no slums or old buildings, IN
which disease seems most inclined 10
flourish.
While the Friends School, during
the past week, was closed in part on
account Of the disease, DR.. clifford
]. Scott. Superintendent OF CITY
Schools. said today that no such ac-
lion is at this time contemplated by
him, as comparatively few pupils or
teachers in the public school have
been affected so far.
The statement Of Secretary Frantz
follows;
scarlet fever is still prevalent in
Wilmington and though It has not
reached epidemic proportions there
seems to be much unnecessary
suffering and anxiety resulting from
the ignorance and indifference OF
parents who fail 20 realize the dan
ger. The cases in Wilmington at this
time are as a rule. so mild and oc-
casion so little discomfort for the
ratient that many are escaping de-
lection and proper isolation.
The physicians are complying
with the law and are reporting cases
that come under their observation
as promptly as possible. but con-
siderable number are allowed to go
without medical attention because
the illness is not severe enough to
alarm the parents and they do not
wish to incur the expense necessarJ
for medical care. This is a very
dangerous thing to do for the indi-
vidual and for the community. fol-
the mildest cases Of scarlet fever, II
neglected, frequently develop com
plications that end in permanent
disability. The most common COM
plications are Brights disease
which may occur at any age, mid
die ear Inflammation, frequentl.
with mastoiditis, necessitating a Sc
rious operation: enlargement o
glands OF the neck that must b.
opened and drained, usually leavinl
an ugly scar.
ANY Of these complications an
others not so common may appea
causing weeks and months of sui
fering. with a possibility Of deatl
As a rule when no physician is cor
suited, the parents neglect 10 re
port TO the Board Of Health tn
presence OF the disease, and bein
under no restrictions. they mingl
with others who are ignorant OF tn
nature Of their illness and rapid.
spread the infection.
occasionally il seems that a de
liberate effort is made to hide case
in order that quarantine may b'
avoided and having children KEEP
out Of school These cases discov
cred late or not at all are no douh
responsible in a large measure 70
the continued prevalence OF the dis
ease here.
"A physician will be sent by tn
health officer to investigate any sus
pected cases and II the hnancia
situation Of those suffering from IN
disease does not permit them to con
suit a physician. or take necessar
precautions 10 prevent the spread q
the disease, hospital treatment wi
be provided without cost to them.
DO not send children to schoS
who have sore throats or allow theI
with other members OF the famil
until it disappears.
DO not fail to have medical ad
vice for any member OF your house
hold who has a rash Ca breakin
out) on the body. To do so ma
mean grave danger to the patier
and TO the community"
other transmissible diseases r,
ported to the Board OF Health 70
the past week are: Whooping coug
s. chickenpox 6, diphtheria
Twelve deaths from pneumonia wer
reported. The total number OF death
from all causes for the week was 3
While the death rate is higher tina
the average. the number OF MAJ
riases and births for the week sho'
a decided decrease. Fourteen MAJ
riages and as births were reporte,
For the corresponding week OF la,
year there were SO marriages and
births.
Dr. c. Anrhony Beck, 1910 We,
Fourth street, chairman OF n
health committee of the Board
Public Education, said at noon {,
day that the committee in consi,
ering the fumigation OF every publ
school building in the city.
Such action had been conten
plated for Christmas week, said u
Beck, but owing TO the failure 10 r
ceive the fumigating materials
time it was abandoned.
While in some few instanc
rooms In various school buildin
have been fumigated. at no til
have all Of them been fumigated.
Or. Beck said that so far as
knew none Of the public schi
buildings have recently been fur
gated although a number OF pur
and teachers at this time hs
either contracted or displayed,
are under quarantine owing 10 so
member OF the family being afiic
with scarlet fever.
III any school Official fails in
duty in this respect" said DR.. Be