SCARLET FEVER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13677, 20 August 1908, Page 7

SCARLET FEVER.

lIE-ALTH OFFICER'S PAMPHLET. In a pamphlet that is being freely distributed .'l>r Mason says:— | '• Scarlet fever, or scarlatina, is an infectious or 'catching' disease, and as such can be communicated by those sick of it to ihe healthy. It is a fever that is liable to attack people of all ages, but. children under fifteen years of age especially catch it. Many persons, especially in this colony, regard scarlet fever as a comparatively unimportant disease. This is a great mistake. Although many of the recent epidemics have been characterised by their extreme mildness, and, consequently, low rate of mortality, yet, from hitherto unexplained causes, it is liable at times to assume a most malignant type. It is'of the. -greatest importance that' children slinulfL_rwi no risk of infection, for the disease is more fatal to young children than, adults; moreover, children are far more, susceptible to the disease. Practically, the longer children are enabled to avoid the infection the less likely they 1 are. to contract the .disease.' It is riot a necessary disease, but a disease that can and should be prevented. SYMPTOMS. '•ln a, child, the first symptom 'of scarlet fever is ousually vomiting, accompanied by a sensation of chilliness; but very often a sore throat, is the first thing complained of. About the second! day of the illness a, red rash is noticed, particularly . about the upper part of, the body; it rarely attacks the face. 'Like other /disexses of an:...'infections nature,; the attack may be so mild as • to escape . detection \ until the skin begins, to p6ei ; ; even ;• in such mild; cases, theVfe'ver. • may leave after- effects, .Suclx.'.as 'mflammatipn of; the kidneys, and"/:• dropGy, /; discharge from the ears, and deafness. It sometimes causes a- permanent weakness of the heart. HOW IT IS" SPREAD.

"The 1 disease is spread ■ by means of infected particles ,or germs which cannot be seen with the naked eye. These germs are given from a person suffering from scarlet fever during the whole period of his illness; in the first stages, chiefly by the breath, skin, and but later by the particles of dried skin, which are shed in peeling. It is said,that the throat- will ,give off the infection in very la'ce stages of the disease. Now, these. germs do not die when they leave the body, but remain active for many years. They are especially liable to remain in the room which has been occupied by a person sick of the disease;, hence the, importance. off" Careful disinfection. The germs, may also contaminate food—especially milk, which is a- very favourable vehicle for the', poison.

" Many epidemics of scarlet fever have been traced, to dairies'where the milkers have been attacked, and consequently the milk had become infected. (Note.; —' On more than one occasion epidemics of scarlet fever have been traceable to dairies, where the cows were found to be suffering from a disease very akin to scarlet fever.'—--Dr Klein.). -~- > : . TO PREVENT THE SPREAD.

"The foregoing remarks are intended to show how the'fever is likely to spread when once introduced into a community, especially if' there be a large proportion of young children. When recognised as scarlet fever, the fact should be immediately notified to the Local Authority, and the District Health Officer (section 26, The Public Health Act, 1900.) It is of great importance that- notification should be made at- once- to these atuboritiss, so that- they may not only adopt measures to ( prevent the spread of the disease, but give material assistance to the parents of the children attacked, by removing the. latter to the hospital, if such is necessary, and by undertaking subsequently the process of. disinfection.

" The chief safeguards against the spread of scarlet fever are : (1) Prompt isolation of the patient; (2) thorough disinfection." ' Scarlet fever hardly comes under the heading of preventable diseases." The germ has never been traced to its lurking place, and.no authority will say that the foul drain, the unclean backyard, or damp location is responsible for its being. The bacilli is evidently as frse as air, and may be, and is, captured by a person of any age, at any time. A case recently occurred on a farm near Taumaruni, • which had not. been visited for weeks by anyone from the outside world, and which was miles and miles away from the nearest reported', case. On the other hand the disease is highly contagious; and no risk should be taken, either- for sentimental or other reason, of becoming a contact or associating with one. ..'...'