SCARLET FEVER.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 804, 25 April 1871, Page 2

SCARLET FEVER.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston A.rgasJ. Sin, —I have to request a small space in your columns in order to fulfil what I deem a duty to the public; and, more especially to the heads o' tamilies in this district, viz., to warn them of the presence of scarlatina in the neighbourhood. The cases which have hitherto come under my notice are few and not severe, but, in view of the serious and fatal character which this disease has frequently assumed elsewhere—as re. cently in the southern portion of a 'this Island—it would be unwise to presume upon its present mildness here So far as I know, the disease is now confined to the South side of the river. Whether the cases which have.occurred there shall prove the forerunners of a general epidemic throughout the town and district, or whether it shall die out for the present, whether any future cases shall be slight or severe, depends very much upon the adoption or neglect of common-sense precautions by those who have charge of children; scarlatina being, I need scarcely say, especially a disease of childhood. The precautions I refer to are briefly these: Cleanliness; the USE OF DISINFECTANTS; NON-INTEIt-

COTTBSE. Strict cleanliness both of the person aud clothing is of the first importance, the former should be more frequently washed, and the latter more frequently changed than is usual. Coal-tar soap should be used in ordinary ablutions, and a little carbolic acid added to the water in which clothes are washed. Most dwellings and their surroundings need purification. Drains or cesspools, if any, should be first deodorized, and then cleaned out. All refuse or offensive matters should be at once removed or deeply buried. Closets should have dry earth frequently put into them, and the interior of these, and of any part of the dwelling-house where it is practicable, should be.whitewashed. Each bucketful of the whitewash should contain lib. of Calvert's Disinfecting Powder, which contains carbolic acid, the best disinfectant which has as yet come into general use. This should be freely used ; the proportions for ordinary purposes being as follows: Tor washing floors, &c, one ounce to a gallon of water ; for pouring into closets, drains, &c, double the quantity ; for steeping clothing, after use by the sick, half the quantity. The stronger solution may also be used for sprinkling the floor of a sick room; and a small quantity should always be kept in the necessary utensils. (The acid requires to be first rinsed with a little boiling water, before adding cold.) Scarlatina being a highly infectious disease, I need scarcely point out the risk of intercourse between the members (more especially the children) of the families in which it has appeared, and those children who have not yet had the complaint. This risk continues for a considerable time after convalescence—one month of isolation is the shortest term that is consistent with safety. Though the recommendations I have somewhat hastily and imperfectly made are tendered more especially to those whom this sickness has already visited, or whom it may yet visit, I should strongly advise some such precautionary measures as I have suggested to all who wish to avoid or to mitigate a diseaso which is often too lightly thought of, except by those who hare experienced or witnessed the sorrow aud desolation which, in its severer

forms, scarlatina haß brought into so many homes. The above remarks have reference to the individual and private action which should bo taken in the presence or apprehension of this or any other infectious disease. Public sanitary measures, which are urgently needed, such as pure water supply, efficient drainage, the earth-closet system, the abolition of cesspools, piggeries, and slaughter-yards irom the town limits, require combined public action. Speaking of slaughter-yards, 1 may say that there are grounds for believing that decomposing blood and other animal matter may, under certain conditions, originate scarlatina. A sincere desire to do what I can to prevent its extension amongst us is my motive for addressing you on this subject. I am, Sir, Tour obedient Servant, S. Thorpe. Westport, April 20. 1871.