The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-16
.u11nps Always Problem For }
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 Mumps is more prevalent during cold md wet seasons than in warm weather, nevertheless there is 8 greater number bf cases at the present time than we hay had in some years.
 Every one is doubtless familiar with the facial appearance of one suffering From humps. What is the diseaseg It is swelling of the salivary glands Fituated in the cheeks just beside the bar. The glands and tissues swell so hat they occupy the spaceaat the angle bf the jaw and below the ear, spread ing forward on the cheek downward along the neck.
 In some instances the glands distend Fo severely that the patient cannot close the mouth.
 Mumps attack children. from the fifth to the fifteenth year, although adults hre by no means exempt, nor are in- fants in arms. Boys are more often httacked than girls, and men than women. <
 The disease spreads by contact; l; therefore sufferers must be quaran- tined. Some believe the 'susceptibflity bf this disease is not very great, and for this reason considere 1t . hardship to isolate the patient completely. How ever, the infection may be very light m pne person, which, when transferred to hnother, may give rise to a. severe out break; in fact, the situation of this disease Is such that one can never lore tell possible complications.
 The glands may suppurate lform pus), the pus may travel to the ear and neishboring important structures !; in fact, 50 grave are the possibilities |Ehst neglect to, properly care for one httacked with humps and t0 complete |(y isolste, them and 70 5,prevent the spread of the infection, is absolutely criminal. Family epidemics of this disease are often long dr1wn out, be- raupe development of the disease after infectoin has taken place is very long | from IT to 21 days. M
 In many mild cases of humps there are no symptoms until the, swelling oc- curs. In others there Sre chilhness, Iweakness. loss of appetite, fever. The Temperature does not rise over 101 de- Igrees Fahrenheit, but in--severe cases twith headache, vomitinA pains in the back and limbs, profuse sweating, the Fever runs up to 104 degrees Fahren- heit. There is often nose bleed and even convulsions in young children. Il The first local symptom is pain just below the lobe of the ear, increased by movement of the jaws. Sometimes there fs a sour taste in the mouth. In mild Eases very little treatment is required. The patient should be isolated in we'll ventilated room and confined to a fresh, bclean bed for few days. Control the blight fever with cold water sponging ;. The swollen glands may be protected with a pad of soft cotton. If very painful, an ice bag is grateful, although some patients prefer heat. Inunctions (gentle rubbing) with warm olive o;l are good. Local applications of tine ture of iodine is helpful, as is also Ipoultice. .5 4t
 The bowels should be thoroughly emp tiled once or twice day, and it is very Eood practice to give physic daily nuring the height of the attack: tab let's of rhubarb and magnesia are ex- cellent for this purpose. The diet nust be liquid while the swelling lasts. Alkaline mouth washes should be used Vrery thoroughly after taking food No Further treatment will be necessary unless complications arise.