HEALTH NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 15

HEALTH NOTES.

MEASLES. ADVICE TO PARENTS. Measles has been epidemic in mild form generally throughout most portions of the ominion for the last two months. It is not a disease which is notifiable to the Department of Health, but this information is gleaned from medical practitioners who report that in general the cases are mild. Measles is a widely-distributed, highlycommunicable disease to which human beings are almost universally susceptible. . During the last six years there have been in New Zealand 240 deaths from this cause. Few escape the disease in the long run, and since one attack almost always confers lasting immunity people think that a child may as well g-et 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. SYMPTOMS. During an epidemic of measles, except that a child may be sickening when it seems to be suffering from a bad cold, symptoms develop commonly about 11 days after exposure to infection. The characteristic onset is as 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. Remain ing at its height for a day or two, the disease, as 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 be associated with inflammatory conditions of the eyelids and a tendency to serious weakness of the eyes which, unless due care is taken, may become permanent. CARE AND TREATMENT.

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 Tght, 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. It is advisable to call in the doctor at once, as neglect of treatment may result in serious consequences. Be sure to keep the child’s eyes, cars, mouth, and nostn s perfectly clean. 'Die discharge fiom the nose throat, and ears should be carefully gathered in clean rags and burned Measles can easily be caught through the disease germs the sick peraon spreads by talking and coughing. For this reason only the doctor and the pereon who is nursing the patient should enter the sick room When th e skin begins t o peel, oil the body or bathe the patient in warm water. Keep the child b bed for at least four days after the rash has subsided and the temperature is normal Do not let him strain his eves in porimover finely-printed books. Be careful as to exposure to cold until the health is completely 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 infecious from the onset of the catarrhal symptoms to the disappearance of- the eruption. Tne period of exclusion from association with others must be continu until at least two weeks after the appearance of the rash, and unfil convalescence is completely established.

RISK IN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS." In boarding schools and similar institutions for children there is always the super-added risk that the disease, or one of its complications, particularly pneumonia, may assume a virulent character. The medical attendants of such institutions usually keep a close watch for virulence, and when there is any sign of this it is highly necessary that prompt steps be taken not only to isolate the cases, but also to provide ample space and ventilation for all the inmates, even should such provision entail the closing of such an institution for a limited period. The superintendents of such institutions should call in a medical practitioner for all cases of measles in view of the special risk borne by children's boarding schools. BEAR IN MIND. Measles is an acute infection. Measles is a serious disease in children of tender years. A grave responsibility rests with a parent or guardian who treats ' lightly in a child and through indifferenc or neglect exposes other . hildren of the household or community to infection. Children suffering from this disease should be strictly isolated a ' carefully nursed, and every precaution taken to prevent its spread to others. Medical advice should be immediately obtained and followed-