MEASLES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2533, 25 July 1893, Page 3

MEASLES.

SYMPTOMS AND PRECAUTIONS. An epidemic of measles is raging in Victoria at the present time and Dr Cresswell, Medical Officer to the Board of Public Health, has prepared for the public information particulars of the symptoms of the disease and precautions to be used with a view to its prevention and cure. As the malady is largely prevalent in New Zealand at the present time, we reprint the circular for the benefit of our readers : “ This disease is most readily caught from a person suffering from it, or from articles of clothing or of bedding which have been used by or about a person so suffering. As an epidemic it may be extremely severe, or on the other hand very mild ; but even when prevailing in a mild form it is fatal to individuals whose constitutions are weakened by excesses, by irregular habits, by disease, or by advancing years, or who when attacked are confined in an over-crowded, defectively-ventilated room, or are subjected to draughts, to cold, to wet, to fatigue, or are neglected at any time in the course of the disease. It is most fatal in persons under five years and in persons over twenty-five years of age. “ In a typical case the individual becomes feverish eight or twelve days after contraction of infection. A day later the fever generally somewhat falls, the eyes and nose run, there is sneezing, a dry cough develops, and lumps appear in the neck. The next day the eyes and nose run still more freely, the cough is worse, there are a few spots on the forehead and cheeks, there is congestion of the throat, and the fever rises. These symptoms, which are those of a cold, may be absent. Next day the rash is more developed, it n fleets the mouth and throat, and the fever is at its highest. Next day the rash is completely developed, and the fever and all the symptoms greatly abate. Next day eitner the fever wholly abates, in which case recovery gradually takes place, or other complaints arise, owing to inflammation of the windpipe, of the bronchial tubes, of the lungs, or of the bowels, and death from measles when the disease is prevailing in a mild form is generally due to one or more of these conditions. Inflammation of the windpipe and expectoration of thin membranes may give rise to the idea that the disease is croup or diphtheria. There may, too, be inflammation of the ear, causing deafness. The rash at first consists of purplish crimson, slightly raised isolated soft spots about the size of millet seeds, which later, by increase of number, form patches presenting wavy outlines. It first appears on the forehead close to the hair, on the face, neck, chest, and arms, next day on the trunk, and the next on the lower limbs, so that there are three successive crops, each of which lasts about three days. “ When measles prevails it is specially necessary, therefore, to see that children are properly fed, warm, and dry shod, and clothed with flannel next the skin ; that they are not subjected to wet, to cold, or to fatigue ; that they are not allowed out of doors in wet or foggy weather, or allowed to spend their time paddling in the gutters, streams, or in muddy streets and lanes; that their bedrooms and the schools to which they are sent are properly ventilated without draught, and maintained always dry and warm. “ A person suffering from measles must from the first be confined to the house, indeed to bed under medical advice in all but the very mildest cases, and as far as possible be isolated; the sick room must be dry, warm, and properly ventilated, a fire being constantly alight. The patient must not be exposed to cold, or wet, or fatigue; and on recovery must not hurriedly resume outdoor exercise or work. Active purgatives must not be given. Boiled milk, broths, and beef tea are the best foods during the illness. Warm baths given daily are of service to the patient, and they aid the removal of the infecting material. Rags used for wiping up discharges from the nose and eyes must at once be burnt. All articles of clothing, of bedding, and of furuitqre which have been exposed tg ipfeptiop, should be fully exposed out of doors in the sunlight for two or three days, and they and the rooms occupied by the patient bo thoroughly fumigated with sulphur.