The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1923-02-08
v

oN"iiVN ' 10 81 hlSuly iouS
disease, but its specific cause is still
unknown. While no age guarantees
immunity the disease most frequently
attacks children between the ages of
one and ten years. After the & of
fourteen or fifteen susceptibility grad
ually decreases. 1t is prevalent all
the year but the largest number of
cases occur between October and APP
ril. In South Dakota there were 1885
cases reported in 1921 and 1865 cases
in 1922.
The time between exposure and first
symptoms Of the disease varies from
two to seven days. The disease is
very contagious while the eruption is
cradle time after the eruption fades.
1t is practically certain that the in
fectious agent is taken into the body
through the nose or mouth and may
exist III the discharges from the nose,
ears or infected glands after all other
symptoms have disappeared. This IS
the reason for the long quarantine for
scarlet fever. One attack usually pro-
duces immunity.
Vomiting is frequently the first
symptom. In very young children con
WILSON'S may occur. When this is ac-
companied by fever and sore throat
the condition is serious enough TO
require medical attention. Usually
within twenty-four hours after the
onset the rash appears, first on the
chest and neck, then on the trunk and
limbs. Occasionally it does not ex-
tend to the face. In mild cases there
may be no rash apparent, and on this
account the disease is sometimes ov.
erlooked. In the later stage the
glands of the neck may become swol-
len.
scarlet fever, many cases result in
death, and more leave the child with
permanently damaged health. Kidney
affections, middle ear infections and
heart disease often follow an attack.
The best Of care should be given scar
let fever patients until they have fully
recovered, in order to prevent these
dangerous complications and after eff
fects.
The principal reasons for epidemics
Of scarlet fever are:
l. Failure to recognize mild cases
for which a doctor is not called, after
which the patient is at large while
still infectious.
2. Permitting children to return to
school while still infectious.
3. Deliberate disregard Of quarantine
regulations.
The first is ~avoidable, the second
in~excusable the third criminal.
The laws of Sauth Dakota require
every physician who examines or
treats n suffering from scarlet fever
to Immediately report the case in
writing to the County Health Officer,
who Is then required to place under
quarantine the person afflicted with
the disease and those who come in
contact with such patient. Quarantine
shall continue for at least three weeks
from the beginning OF the disease, and
longer If necessary until "peeling" is
completed and the hose and throat is
normal. The apartments occupied by
a scarlet fever patient must be thor
oughly disinfected under the super.
vision Of a Health Officer before the
quarantine Is lifted.
Protect children from exposure to
scarlet fever. Observe all measures
OF personal hygiene. Provide fol
daily inspection Of school children by
a physician or nurse. or require teach
ers to report daily to the Health OF
ficer all cases of illness Of school child
rem. If a child appears i'll call a ply
stefan as soon as possible even though
the condition may not seem serious
Avoid close association with person
who have colds. Keep sick children
away from others. Teach children t
cover the mouth and nose when cough
ing or sneezing. Maintain the highes
sanitary measures in the sick room
allowing nothing to be removed unit
disinfected. Report cases Of infection
diseases 10 local Health Officers. OF
serve quarantine regulations. p. f
jenkins. Collaborating Epidemiologisi
L. s. p. H. s.