Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1937-04-29
Stringent Rules
CovernHandling
OF Disease Cases
People Having Contagious
Symptoms Asked to Re-
port to Health Officials.
Health Officer Explains
Dangers of Negligence
When Symptoms Appear.

Seldom does a winter season pass
without bringing on an epidemic of
some kind. Either it is chicken poX,
measles, whooping cough or some of
the more serious diseases such as
influenza, small poX and scarlet
fever. In regards to any of these
DIR. A. L. Arends of Askov, points
out that it is not the disease
itself that is always dangerous but
rather the complications. Therefore
he issues statement governing con-
duct of parents and the public in
general when dealing with contag-
ious diseases. His statement follows:
Let us not get panicky because we
have few cases of scarlet fever in
our midst We have found at least
one case as a source of infection and
if there are others they also will be
uncovered soon.
The one case I speak of above is
a glaring example of what happens
when people do not call a doctor
or do not report case of suspi-
cious nature to the health author
tiles. AS so often happens; so in this
case, the rash only lasted for day
or so-not very sick-felt well in
a few days-did not call doctor
and did not notify the health Off
Ger in their district Further the
case occurred during a few days va
cation from school so the child was
out of school for only two days. The
result? Well you can see what has
and is happening right now.
The law requires every house.
holder to report to the health officer,
all cases, frank and suspected, of
is the duty of every good citizen to
report cases that they have reason
to think are not being reported.
This is for their own protection as
well as for the protection of their
neighbors and the community.
So far we have been very lenient
with people who did not report these
cases; whether such failure was due
to ignorance of the law or just plain
refusal to report. If conditions con-
tinue we shall be compelled to take
action and prosecute those who do
not cooperate in suppressing diseases
in our community.
Complications are Serious.
Another point; many persons have
the idea the Scarletina is something
mild and of no relation to scarlet
fever. Just forget that idea and I'M
derstand the scarlet fever, scarlet
rash and scarletina are all one and
the same thing.
Some say, oh it was only mild
case. Yes, so far the cases have been
mild but please do not lose sight of
the fact that the complications of
a mild case of scarlet fever may be
many times worse than the effects
of severe case of scarlet fever with
out complications. Further; mild
case may be the source of infection
for other severe cases. Complications
occurring most frequently are the
effects of the disease on the heart,
the kidneys and the so-called run
ming ears. And let me call your at
tention to this fact, that a running
ear after scarlet fever is poten-
tial source of infection for other
people.
School to Remain Open.
DR.. Foker, of the Minnesota State
Board of Health, was here Monday
and we are following the advice of
the board in not closing our school.
IT is the opinion of the board that
when schools are closed it gives a
chance for INSCRIPTIONS persons to
hide case of scarlet fever or other
contagious disease and then when
the school is reopened we have a
flock of these cases in our midst who
are in the infectious stage and thus
a source of danger to others. With
the result that conditions are worse
CONTINUED on Page s.