Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1897 — Scarlet Fever. [ARTICLE]

Scarlet Fever.

The conditions at present seem very favorable for subsidence of the epidemic. All the cases in the city, and these immediately adjoining are improving, and no new cases have been reported since Oct. 29th except one light case which was not attended by a physician. There have been in all seventeen cases, with one fatality, showing the malignancy of the attack to be rather light. Saturday, upon the attending physician certifying to disinfection and freedom from contagion, the following patients and families were released from quarantine, Tucker, Bott, Ramp, Robinson, and Barnes.

I desire especially to call, attention to Rule 14, of the Rules of the State Board of Health as published in the Semi-Weekly Republican of Oct. 29, regarding disinfection, and urge that* they be fully and honestly carried out. The contagion bearer of Scarlatina is one of great vitality and often after our best efforts at disinfection a new case may break occur. Therefore any laxity in this respect, is done at great risk and danger to the community. The most dangerous time for spreading the disease is during the period of disquamation dr scaling of the skin. This lasts from five days to two weeks following the disappearance of the rash. Mild cases of “scarlet rash,” so called, while fraught with no great danger to the patient itself are just as dangerous as far as spreading and contagion are concerned as the more severe forms. They are all Scarlet fever and must be cared for as such. Remember: That mild cases

are as dangerous to spread the disease as the more severe. That as long as the skin scales there is danger of spreading the disease. That every thing in the room or house used by the patient must be disinfected before quarantine is released. Every case of sore throat or rash is probably scarlet fever unless known to be otherwise. Observance of these simple rules and those published in a former issue will work no hardship to the families concerned, and will very greatly aid the physicians of the city in subdueing the present out break. Any steps looking to arrest the advance of the disease cannot hope to succeed unless heartily co-operated in by the citizens, nurses, and attendants of the sick. In one or two instances quarantine and isolation of the patient has been a farce. In two instances the cards placed by the proper health officer although securely tacked were “blown down by the wind.” They were promptly replaced. Every ’good citizen should be willing and glad to take the precautions necessary to prevent the further spiead of the disease, as well as a new outbreak.

S. C. Johnson, M. D.

Sec’y City Board of Health.