Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 January 1879 — How to Delect Scarlet Fever. [ARTICLE]

How to Delect Scarlet Fever.

It is important to detect the disease when it first shows itself, for the reason that it may run rapidly to a fatal issue, and because early precautions need to be taken against its spread, inasmuch as the patient may communicate it from the very first. Scarlatina is characterized by very numerous red points on the skin about the size of a pin-head—though larger in some places, but seldom as large as a lentil. These spots are closely aggregated, leaving the adjacent skin wholly free. About as much of the surfaee is free as is covered by the spots. Where the skin is free, it has a natural pale color. There are generally fewer spots on the face than on the rest of the body. It is the reverse with measles, for which it is most apt to be mistaken. Arounql the mouth and on the chin there are no spots; hence these have a very peculiar pale look, in striking contrast w’ith the scarlet spots. Moreover, the spots are not as much elevated as they are in measles; indeed, they may be entirely flat. They are also less indented. Their nearly circular shape, their being crowded together, with free spaces between the aggregates, their tolerably uniform space from each other, and their nearly equal size, help to distinguish them from other eruptions; but the paleness of the mouth alone is often sufficient to decide the matter at once. Besides these indications, almost always the back of the mouth and of the tongue are inflamed, and the glands of the neck are swollen.