New Britain herald., 1925-11-18
Your Health
How to Keep It
Causes of Illness
(BY DIR. HUGH S. CUMMING}
Surgeon General. United States
p,hiic HaoItA Snryice

disease, an Inflammation OF the skin,
caused by an organism known as =
streptococcus. Under certain eondi-,
tons eryspelas has approached cpl
denic proportions, 1t Ia somewhat
contagious particularly II those er-
posed have slight wounds or are un-
dergoihs surgical operations
When erysipelas Is mild In char
scter there Is usually redntss OF the
skin. The skin will also feel some
what hard and thickened. This red
ness, though at first limited TO a
small areaabout the wound,ztends to
spread and affect the sound skin
near by until sometimes an entire
limb or a large area Of the body
may become involved.
There is usually considerable
pain, coupled with much heat and
tingling in the part OF the body
affected. As the disease advances
that portion OF the skin which n,
first attacked becomes less inflani-
ed, takes on yellowish appearance
and finally the outer skin flakes of.
The Inflammation in general gradu-
ally disappears.
Sometimes 1t breaks out again
and 1t has been known to pass over
the original area the second time,
II frequently happens that the sub
cutaenous tissues become extensive
ly involved In the inflan1 nation and
pus Is formed.
Occasionally gangrene develops In
the affected parts. Other conlplica-
tons are not unusual and when
these occur they may affect the
surface OF the body and some
times the Serious membranes and
the pleura, and result in pleurisy.
particularly II the tissues Of the
throat are involved.
ID zee
Erysipeias usually begins with
chill followed by a. high fever. It
may be a complication OF wounds
but it is more frequently developed
without any apparent injury. A
large majority OF the eases begin
on the face, usually on the nose,
first as a small red spot which 10
soon elevated above the surround
ing skin and gradually or rapidly
spreads over the face and ears and
sometimes over the entire scalp.
The neck and chest and parts Of
the back and other parts OF the
body are occasionally involved. THE
skin becomes red, hot, painful and
swollen and blisters may form. The
swelling often is most marked about
the eyes and ears.
1t frequently happens that the
eyes become closed and the pa
tents features so changed and dis
torted that the appearance once
seen will not soon be forgotten. 6
If erysipelas Is limited TO the face
and scalp it usually runs Its course
in few days or weeks, but some-
times before the face is healed 9th.
err parts OF the body may become
involved and the case may be pro-
longed. Assesses beneath the skin
are not uncommon. Besides these
symptoms there Is often times head
ache, loss Of appetite, coated tongue.
frequent vomiting and in some
cases delirium and marked depres-
sion.
Although, In general, the outcome
of erysipelas Is favorable, serious
and occasionally fatal results fol-
low from Inflammation Of the men,
brane OF the brain and In some rare
instances sudden death has occurred
from suffocation. In persons weak
ened from previous diseases, erysipe-
las may result fatally.
One attack Of this disease does
not protect the individual from a re-
curing attack. A very fatal form OF
erysipelas sometimes attacks new
, born babies, particularly in the first
four weeks of their lives.
Erysipelas is only slightly conta-
Sious under ordinary circumstances
but persons suffering from wounds
or scratches in the skin are very
likely to be attacked. The patient
should, therefore, be isolated, plac.
ed in a room by himself. and his
attendant should be healthy PERI
son free from any skin injury.
Wounds should be carefully dressed
with antiseptic solutions to prevent
the development Of the disease.
Erysipelas runs its course usually
in from eight 10 fourteen days and
sometimes in much less time and in
most instances tends 10 favorable
termination. Beyond attention 70 the
condition Of the stomach and
bowels, which may require the use
OF a gentle laxative little 10 given in
the way Of medicine internally.
The diet should be light and
should consist OF milk. broths and
buildings. II the temperature rises
above 1oS degrees Fahrenheit the
patient should be given a cola bath.
The chief point 10 remember in the
treatment Of erysipelss is that an
abundance Of nourishment should Be
administered in a light and digest
ible form,
The eyes may be frequently
washed with four per cent solu-
ton OF boracic acid, that Is four
parts OF boracic acid to one hun
dred parts of water. Very mild
cases may be treated With cloths wet
with horacic acid which are placed
upon the skin or by other mild
measures. II is always well to call