New Britain herald., 1927-01-05
CHILDREN EXPOSED
 TO SCARLET FEVER
Little Girl, Recovering From Disease, Walks Through Streets
OTHERS IN FAMILY SICK
Supt. Pul,en Startled at Possibility of Child's Spreading Germs-Thrcat- ems to Invoke Ordinance Against Neglectful Parents.

i A little girl who walked into the office of Health Superintendent
 Richard W. Pullen this morning to
 inquire about skin eruption on her 1 hands was found to be recovering from scarlet fever, and an investiga- | ton was started at once with the
 result that two other members of
 her family were found to have the
 same ailment.
 None of the cases had been visited by physician. reported to the
 health department or quarantined and Dr. Pullen fears many children have been exposed to scarlet fever
 as result.
 Parents who fail to report com-
 municable diseases are liable to ar
 rest. Dr. Pullen is anxious to avoid so drastic an action, but If there are occurrences of tcday's incident it is likely that the ordinance will be put in force.
 Parents Must Exercise Care Discussion the situation today
 Dr. Pullen said:
 "So far this year New Britain has been unusually free from communi- cable diseases. This condition IS highly desirable and it is to be hoped
 that it will continue. But if it is to continue the utmost care must be exercised by all parents. The health department can only quarantine cases which 1t knows to exist. Only this morning a child walked into my peeling of the skin on her hands. She was found to be recovering from scarlet fever. She had never been seen by & physician and had rot been quarantined. Her parents had not reported the disease to the health department so there was no way of knowing that the child was ill., Investigation showed that two other children in the family are now sick with scarlet fever. It IS impossible to estimate how many other children were exposed to scar let fever through the carelessness of this family. Such things ought not to happen but they can only be stopped when parents realize that expert advice should be sought as soon as a child becomes ill. This may prevent very serious conse- quences. Remember the old pro- verb. "A stitch in time saves nine.'
 {x, u,i, o1,i 1ot us not overlook the grown-ups. This is the season for grip and colds Colds are not often considered seri- ous, still they may lead to such serious diseases as influenza and pneumonia. It will probably never be possible to avoid colds entirely but some precautions can be taken. Don't discard your overcoat on the morning of the first warm day. To do so may mean you will come home that night shivering. The weather at this season is very changeable and a thoroughly chilled body has only poor chance to fight the germs that cause colds. If you work all day in warm room don't wear clothes that will keep you warm in zero weather. Wear clothes that keep you warm in that room and rely on an overcoat to keep you warm when you go out in the cold. If you wear clothes that keep you too warm while you are inside and do not put on more when you go outside you will be badly chilled and in perfect condition to cate. another cold. Also remember to keep dry. Remember that through out your entire life your body must stay at a certain even temperature. Try to arrange your clothing to make 1t as easy as possible for your body to keep this temperature. And finally, if you do catch cold, don't neglect 1t. Proper care may pre- vent pneumonia"