THE SUPPOSED OR ASSUMED CASE OF SCARLET FEVER.

Kumara Times, Issue 2599, 5 January 1885, Page 2

THE SUPPOSED OR ASSUMED CASE OF SCARLET FEVER.

[to the editor.] Sir— ln your issue of the 3rd January appears a paragraph to the following effect, “The attention of the Medical Officer of Health was yesterday drawn to a supposed or assumed case of scarlet fever in this town, but on that gentleman visiting the patient, he reported to the Chairman of the Board of Health, that it was not scarlet fever, nor, with appropriate treatment, was there anything dangerous or infectious about the case, though it was highly probable that similar rashes would not be uncommon among the children in Kumara.” Now, sir, as I have been in attendance on the case referred to from the first, I feel it incumbent on me to say a few words with reference to it. I never reported it as one of scarlet fever, but one of scarlatina—scarlatina anginosa—and I most emphatically assert that it is an eruptive fever which comes under that head, and as so, of a contagious nature, and one which according to the municipal hye-laws has to be reported, or a penalty could be imposed.

The Medical Officer of Health did not see the patient until there was a remission of the febrile symptoms and of the affection of the throat, and the efflorescence of the skin was on the wane. His visit, moreover, was made at dnsk. I admit the complaint is not of a dangerous nature, but contagious it undoubtedly is, more particularly when desquamation of the cuticle is taking place, and I speak from an experience of over 35 years, having treated hundreds of similar cases in London and the colonies during that time. I consider it was nothing but ray duty to take the steps I did. Had I not done so it is within the bounds of possibility that the case might have been diagnosed as a highly infectious and contagions one, and myself mulcted in a heavy penalty, for it is evident that the souls of some in this community are not exactly overflowing with that rare quality charity. In conclusion, I might as well say that I am not singular in my opinion of the case in question, but am backed up by unimpeachable corroborative testimony. Apologising for faking up so much of your space.—l am &c, J. W. W. Evisox, Surgeon, &c. Kumara, January 5, 1885.