Towards The End Of The Period Of Efflorescence When The Rash
Categories:
TREATMENT OF SCARLET-FEVER.
Sources:
Hydriatic Treatment Of Scarlet Fever In Its Different Forms
declines, fades, disappears, and the skin begins to peal off, an
ablution in the morning of cool water, with which some vinegar _may_ be
mixed, and a pack and bath in the afternoon, are quite sufficient,
except the throat continue troublesome, when a pack should also be given
in the morning. The packs, once a day, should be continued about a week
after desquamation. The patient may safely leave the house in a
fortnight
I have frequently had my patients out of doors in ten or
twelve days, even in winter.
This going out so early, in bad weather, is by no means part of the
treatment. I mention it only to show the curative and protective power
of the latter, and have not the slightest objection to others using a
little more caution than I find necessary myself. It is always better,
we should keep on the safe side, especially when there is no one near
that has sufficient experience in the matter. I can assure my readers
upon my word and honor, that though I never kept any of my
scarlet-patients longer in-doors than three weeks (except a couple of
malignant cases), I have never seen the slightest trouble resulting from
my practice.
In case of some trouble resulting from early and imprudent exposure,
which is about as apt to occur in the house as out of it, a pack or two
will usually be sufficient to restore order again. As long as the
patient moves about, warmly dressed, there is no danger of his taking
cold after a pack, and provided packing be continued long enough, and
the patient be forbidden to sit down or stand still in cool places, or
expose himself to a draught, there is nothing to be apprehended.
I have no objection to homoeopathic remedies being used at the
same time, nor would I consider acids, as mentioned above (39, note), to
be objectionable in cases of severe sore throat; but I must caution my
readers against the use of any other remedies, especially aperients,
except in cases, which I shall mention hereafter (72). In a couple of
cases, where I acted as consulting physician, I have observed dropsical
symptoms proceeding from laxatives and the early discontinuation of the
packs during convalescence. Let the bowels alone as long as you can:
there is more danger in irritating them than in a little constipation.
As for the rest we have injections, which will do the business without
drugs, of which I confess I am no friend, especially in eruptive fevers.