ABOUT MUMPS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 74 (Supplement)

ABOUT MUMPS

(By Dr Andrew Wilson, F.R.S.E.) A motlier who is a reader of this column makes a suggestion that an article on mumps might he found useful by many mother. She remarks that although it is not bv any means a serious disease, it nevertheless may be of a somewhat troublesome character, ami more especially as it is apt sometimes to leave effects behind it. The proper treatment of the affection, by way of giving mothers some hints so as to follow out the doctor’s treatment with intelligence, may therefore be legitimately described’ in an. article of this kind. There is no doubt that mumps has to be reckoned as one of the fevers. In other words, it is evidently due to infection by a peculiar germ, whilst in the second place it is capable of being conveyed from an affected child to those who are healthy. In the third place, it runs a definite course, as all fevers do, showing a period of development, the coming to a head, so to speak, and finally a decline. With regard to the exact nature of the disease, it appears specially to affect the salivary glands of the mouth, or those which are destined to produce the water of the mouth —a fluid which, as my readers know —is of great use in digestion. There are three pairs of these glands in the human subject. The largest pair of these is called the parotid glands. Each lies in front of the ear of its own side. In the .•floor of the mouth other two pairs of glands exist. As it is the parotid glands which are more especially the subject of mumps, the disease has been by medical men termed parotitis. Whilst the parotid glands are those that are mostly affected, those in the floor of the mouth may also show a tendency to inflammation in turn. It will be understood, however, that the swelling and affections of the glands are merely the so-called local symptoms of the fever, just as in typhoid fever we find the special seat of the disease in the lining membrane of the small bowel. THE SYMPTOMS. Mumps is undoubtedly an infectious disorder, and, it may be said, a very infectious one. No doubt infection is conveyed through the fluids of the mouth, and also possible by means of

taken that a child who is affected should not be allowed to mix with other children, and all handkerchiefs used to wipe the mouth should be disinfeoted. The symptoms of mumps begin by a certain rise of temperature and pain experienced in the neighbourhood of the ear. This pain is increased in nature by the movements of eating. The parotid glands then begin to swell, one or both, although one side is usually at first affected, the other side developing the inflammation at a later period, and sometimes even after the swelling on the side affected has disappeared. The child will also complain of headache and Loss of appetite. The temperature may rise even to 103 degrees. Tenderness of the lymphatic glands in the sides of the neck may also be experienced, and difficulty in swallowing be present. In all probability the disease is of a much more painful character when an adult is attacked than if a child is the subject of infection. TREATMENT. With reference to the period which elapses between infection and the development of the disease, it is stated that this may vary from one to three weeks, but a very interesting observation has to be here mads, to the effect that occasionally the infection of mumps may remain for a considerable period in a house. A physician states that he had a second case in the same house several weeks after the first member of the family was attacked. The average duration of this disease is from four to five days, and in from eight to ten days the child may be fairly well. ' One attack of mumps as a rule protects from another seizure. Mothers should note very specially that in this affection there is a curious feature frequently exhibited, whereby the inflammation passes from the salivary glands to other parts of the body. Thus, in female children the inflammation may extend to the breasts, which become affected. In male children the lower part of the body may thus exhibit the transference of the inflammatory process. In a case where a child exhibits the symptoms first described, it will be well at once to place it in bed. All danger of cold or chill must be rigidly avoided, and, therefore, if the little sufferer is not absolutely confined to bed, he should certainly be kept in a room possessing a fairly equable temperature. The disease is apt by mothers to be considered too- trivial to warrant much care being taken of the child. This, however, is a mistake, inasmuch as brain complications are not unknown to follow mumps, in the case especially of delicate children in whom the illness has been comparatively neglected. The treatment should be commenced by seeing that the bowels are moved, for this purpose an ordinary saline aperient being given. The diet should be of a fairly generous character, and should consist of beef tea, soups, light puddings made with eggs, and other nourishing articles. Lemonade, to which it is recommended a little bicarbonate of potash should be added, also tends to relieve the thirst. Where a large amount of pain exists in the parotid glands hot water fomentations may he used, whilst poppy-head fomentations are also recommended by way of relieving the pain. SOME FURTHER HINTS. Many physicians recommend that the swollen glands in the face should be protected by being covered with cotton wool, secured in place by a bandage. Where the pain is very severe a hot poultice . the surface of which has had a little extract of belladona placed upon it, may he tried. This latter measure, however, will not he necesary save in very severe cases. Another plan which is adapted for relieving the pain due to the swelling is that of smearing over the swollen glands a mixture of equal parts of glycerine and extract of belladonna. As a rul-e, no internal medicines are required, save as has already been remarked—attention to the bowels. This latter aim may be secured by giving a little grey powder. A third of a grain of powder may be given three times a day by way of reducing the fever, and of maintaining a regular action of the digestive system.