Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1905 — MOSQUITOES SPREAD YELLOW FEVER, WHOSE SYMPTOMS ARE DESCRIBED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MOSQUITOES SPREAD YELLOW FEVER, WHOSE SYMPTOMS ARE DESCRIBED.

An acute specific disease. Restricted to certain geographical Uimts. Characterized by a high fever of short duration, gastro-intestlnal disturbances, hemorrhages into the skin and mucous membrane, and a yellow tint of the skin. i’irst recognized definitely In West Indies In 1047. It Is infectious. Prevails In the West Indies, west coast of Africa,

yellow fever mosquito Central America, and southward along both coasts of South America and northward to the South Atlantic and Gulf States. It has been brought to north Atlantic seaports by vessels. The mosquito Is blamed for spread of the disease. , Frost fever. • • Survivors of one attack of yellow fever become immune from further attacks. The yellow fever germ has not yet been-dlsfiovered. Some authorities say the disease Is caused by a toxin, not a germ. Yellow fever develops usually from three to four days after infection. Sometimes it takes seven days. The attack comes on with severe chills or rigors when It comes suddenly. It may come on more gradually with languor, headache and malarial symptoms. The temperature goes to 105 degrees, sometimes higher. The fever lasts from three to five days, attended with pains In the back, limbs and head. There Is nausea and vomiting. The yellow tint es the skin, from which the fever gets Its name, begins on the second or third day. In severe cases small hemorrhages take place into the skin and mucous membrane, ( The vomit is at first white. Later It becomes very dark K and In appearance like coffee, when it Is known as “black vomit.’* There is bleeding at the nose, mouth and gums. Delirium usually follows, then unconsciousness, and death. Mortality varies. In some epidemics It has been as high as 85 per cent In others as low as 10 per cent. Heat, moisture, bad drainage, uncleanliness and unhygienic conditions favor the disease, but the mosquito is most of all responsible. Experts seem to agree that the first step to combat the spread of the fever Is to attack the mosquito. Complete rest and careful dieting constitute the principal treatment for yellow fever. Different drugs are used to help assist the body and organs toward a natural condition.