site logo

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.



More

;