Science.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 426, 14 July 1904, Page 7

Science.

MEASLES. SSssT is of ten possible by careful exami§lh nation of the mouth to detect gig measles, even 72 hoars before the fash, appears. There is a 'streakiness' of the palate which is very suspicions, but, still more recently, a number of observers have drawn attention to a number of small white spots on a red ground that are only visible thus early. These are seen on the inner surfaces of the cheeks along a horizontal line from the corner of the month backwards, After two of the chief investigators these spots, are called Filatow's or Koplik's spots, and may become of exceeding importance if the removal of cases 4f measles to hospital is ever carried but, or some other system of isolation is practised; As in some other diseases, attempts have been made by inoculation to make patients insusceptible to the disease, But, as the inoculated disease is equally fatal with that acquired in the usual way, there seems not to b? the slightest justification for this practice. Dubation of Infection. This has not been definitely ascertained, but there is little doubt that measles is infectious for a Say or two before the period of the rash, and continues for several weeks. As this period of incubation lasts for fully ten days, it is suggested that those exposed to the infection should be quarantined for at least two weeks. Hence, children should not return to school after exposure until that time had been allowed to elapse. An Obdinaby Cash Incubation usually continues for ten days, and during it the patient may seem in ordinary health, or only aufterinst fro m a slight 'out-of- sorts' feeling. Daring the Invasion period there is high fever, harsh cough, watering of the eyes and sneezing, often sore throat, earache, bleeding from the nose and diarrhoea, The rash varies greatly in size and colour, being, often as not, from a dark blotchy red to brown, With its appearance all symptoms get worse. After remaining out for some days, it disappears in the order of its appearance, that is from the face and then from the bedy. If the ekm is coarse and rough, the rash may be raised so much that it appears like an attack of confluent smallpox, and has, indeed, been thus mistaken. After the fading of the rash the patient returns to his ordinary health in about two weeks. In London, during 1902, 2 360 died of it, and yet nothing is more common than the remark that it is ' only measles.' By far the greater number die from the secondary inflammation of the lungs, but diarrhan, and affections of nearly every organ of the body account for a goodly number. Diphtheria frequently follows it, and is usually fatal. Even when it fails to kill, * the dregs of the measles/ in the form of eyes, ear, lung, and skin diseases, are potent in the production of a lessened physique. .;,,