MEASLES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4315, 17 March 1934, Page 2

MEASLES.

ADA 7 ICE TO PARENTS.

An epidemic of measles is present in several districts of the Dominion, advice in connection with this disease may be appreciated by our readers.

Measles is a widely distributed, highly communicable disease to which human beings are almost universally susceptible. Few escape the disease in the long 1 run, and since one attack almost always confers lasting immunity people think that a child may as well get it over. Though this disease, however, is often mild and transient, it may be exceedingly dangerous owing to complications developing. It tends to be more severe in children under six years of age. In older-children measles is not so deadly of itself, but it lowers the resistance of the patient and opens the gate for the introduction of germs of other diseases. It is therefore necessary that care should be taken even when the illness is apparently slight in character.

'During an epidemic of measles, exjieet that a child may be sickening when it seems to be suffering from a bad cold. Symptoms develop commonly about eleven days after exposure to infection. The characteristic onset is ns follows: There is running at the eyes and nose, slight hoarseness and a hard cough with increasing feverishness, and then about the fourth day spots begin to appear on the forehead and face, and soon spread down over the entire body. The spots collect in large red blotches and itch. Remaining at its height for a day or two, the disease, n.s a rule, abates gradually and at the end of a fortnight, or it may be sooner, the child is practically well. Peeling is represented by a powdery condition of the skin, hardly however, noticeable. The course, however, may be less favourable, the disease assuming a virulent form almost from the onset. It may give rise to complications, especially bronchitis and bronchial pneumonia, and often prepares the way for tuberculosis. Other complications are disease of the middle ear, leading to ear discharge, and this may he associated with inflammatory conditions of the eye-lids and a tendency to scrioiis weakness of the eyes which unless due care is taken, may become permanent. As soon as your child shows the first signs of measles, if he sneezes, coughs, and his eyes are watery keep him out of school, indoors, and away from other children. Put him in bed at once in a separate room if possible. Let there be no glaring light, either by day or night. Keep the room comfortably warm and well ventilated. See that the diet. Is light in character and the bowels kept well open. If is advisable to call in the doctor at once, as neglect of treatment may result in serious consequences. Be sure the child’s eyes, ears, mouth, and nostrils arc kept perfectly clean. The discharge from the nose, throat, and ears should he carefully gathered in clean rags and burned. Measles can easily be caught through the disease germs the sick person spreads by talking and coughing. For this reason only the <Joctoi‘ and the person son who is nursing the patient should enter the sick room. When the skin begins to peel, oil the body or bathe the patient in warm water. Keep the child in bed for at least four days after the rash has subsided and the temperature has become normal. Do not let him strain his eyes in poring over finely-print-ed books. Be careful as to exposure to cold until the health is complete* ly re-establiShed. If possible, after an attack of measles a good holiday in the country or at the seaside is advisable. Do not let the child spread the infection to others. Remember that measles is considered to be most infectious from the onset of the catarrhal symptoms to the disappearance of the rash, and until convalescence is completely established.

Children suffering from this dis ease should be strictly isolated am carefully nursed, and every pre caution taken to prevent its spreac to others.

A grave responsibility rests with a parent or guardian who treats it lightly in a .child, and through indifference or neglect, exposes other children to the risk of infection.

The following regulations govern the period of exclusion from school of children exposed to infection, that is, contact: (1) If the child has had the disease, not to be excluded except insofar as is provided hereunder in paragraph 3. (2) If the child has not had the disease, until 1C days from the occurrence of last case. (3) If the disease is not epidemic when the first cases occur in a school, all children from the infected home to be excluded from school until 16 days from occurrence of last case.

Teachers are strongly advised to exercise the greatest vigilance in excluding from school all children who appear to be sickening for the disease and all cases where convalescence appears to be imperfect.