CHICKEN-POX.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XIII, 28 March 1896, Page 365

CHICKEN-POX.

Chicken-pox, or varicella, as is well known, iu some respects resembles variola or smallpox. A failure to discriminate between the two may subject the patient to the contaminating atmosphere of a smallpox hospital, or, on the other hand, endanger the health and lives of many of his neighbours. It is, in fact, solely for the purpose of deciding this important point that the phvsician is usually called to see cases ot varicella. So common are epidemics of chicken-pox—as a rule, one and sometimes two such epidemics occur each vear —that it is rare for any one to reach adult life without having contracted it. Those who have never had it must enjoy some peculiar immunity, since it is probable that every adult has many times been exposed to its contagion. In the city of Leipsic an epidemic of chicken pox has been noted to occur regularly after the opening of the infant schools. Notwithstanding the frequency of chicken-pox, and the usual mildness of its coursed it should not be dismissed as of no importance. The child should be directed to stay in the house while the eruption lasts, and during the time in which there is fever he should remain in bed. An eminent writer on the subject recently emphasized the fact that the disease may leave a tendenev to enlargement of the lymphatic glands of the which mav then become the focus of tubercular infection. Cases of a severe type should subsequently be treated with appropriate tonics. Pallor, which sometimes follows the disease, should receive a physician's care. The eruptions on the face should be looked after in a careful way in order that scars may not result. After all cases an abundant supply of nourishing food and pure air should be provided, in order that no physical weakness may continue as a sequel to the disorder.