Year: 1879

the disease is regular that is, without com
plcations. But many times cases occur which
ate characterized by extreme gravity Of symp-
TOMS in some instances from the very com
mencement, the pulse numbering from 40 to
100, or more per minute. Great restlessness
comes on with delirium, coma, and OCCASION
ally, commissions; the vital forces are over
whelmed, and death takes place in one or two
days, or, sometimes, within few hours after
the attack. The disease when assuming such
n form, is with great propriety termed ma
lgnant.


Certain unpleasant, and even fatal afTec-
tions are liable to attend scarlet fever as com
plications, or to follow il as seques. The
most common of these is an affection of the
kidneys, which often results in dropsy, either
general or local Pleurisy rheumatism, and
certain affections Of the heart are, also, occa-
sional concomitants or sequels. Simple scar
let fever is frequently so mild that little or no
medical treatment is necessary; but the an
ginose variety, in which the throat affection
is especially prominent is much more seri-
GUS affection and malignant scarlatina is one
Of the most unmanageable diseases known
But even the mildcr forms Of this disease
should be carefully watched, for in the Ian
guage of distinguished medical writer, 80
treacherous is this disease, and so liable to
serious complications and fatal sequeln that
it is best always to give a guarded opinion rs
to the result. We may say, with safety that
no case is so desperate in its symptoms as to
shut out the hope Of recovery, but must at
the same time admit that none is so benign
rs to exclude anxiety"


The treatment Of scarlet fever has always
been fuctuating; but if anything has been
settled by the experience of almost century
and half it is that all depletory measures.
or such as lessen the vital force should be
avoided In mild cases, free ventilation,
cooling drinks light nourishmcut, and fire.
qucnt sponging of the skin with tepid water,
constitute the only remedies necessary, un-
less constipation exists, when simple enemas
or the mildcst aperients may be employed
Indeed, the writer has seen considerable
number Of rccovories from the severer forms
of scarlet fever without the use of any RENE
dies save nourishng food and ice or ice water
internally, aud frequent sponging with pure
water, either cold or tepid, AZ seemed most
agreeable to the patient.


But enough Of this. Every prudent parent
will, If child be stricken by severe form
Of scarlet fever. seek the counsel and assist
auce of IL skillful physician, for all experience
has shown that in the hands of the most learn
ed and succos ssful practitioners the risk of
life is great enough how much greater, then,
must It be when the patient is subjected to
the hap hazard treatment of person who is
ignorant and inexperienced!


In bringing this article to a close, wish
to impress upon the minds of those who may
read it, the great importance of vigilance and
care to prevent the propagation and spread
of disease which, in its epidemic form, near
ly or quite equals small -pox in point of infec-
ton and danger. Fear of contagion should
not deter any one from giving all needed as
sistance but risks should not be incurred un-
necessarily. Care should be taken to keep
the sick one entirely separate from the rest OF
the family. All discharges from the patient
should be Immediately disinfected and bur
led instead of being thrown into the COM
mon vault, or upon any exposed surface.
Dsinfectants should be freely used in and
about the house, not only during the contin-
uance of the disease, but for many days after
A child who has had scaratina should not
be allowed 10 ningle with other children for
fully month after the disappearance of the
rash, and not then if the skin is still peeling
of, but should be kept apart from them until
"A new skin has formed where the old has
sloughcd away. =