Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1880 — How to Detect Scarlet Fever. [ARTICLE]

How to Detect Scarlet Fever.

It is important to detect the disesM whenit first shows itself, for thereasoi that it may run rapidly to a fatal issue and because early precaution, need tc be taken against its spread, inasmuch at the patient may communicate it from the very first Scarlatina is characterised by very numerous red points on the skin about the rise of a pin-head—though larger in some places, but seldom as large as a lentil. There spots are closely aggregated, leaving the adjacent skin wholly free. About as much of the surface is free as is covered by the spots. Where the skin is free, it has a natural pale color. There are generally fewer snots 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. Around the mouth and on the chin there are no spots; hence these have a very peculiar pale look, in striking contrast with the ecaxlet spots. Moreover, the spots are not as much elevated as they are in meariea; 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, ana their nearly equal sire, help to aistinguish them from other emotions; but the paleness of, the mouth alone is ofteq, sufficient to decide the matter at once. Besides there indications, almost always the back of the mouth and of the tongue are inflamed, and the glands of the neck are swollen.