CHICKEN POX (Varicella)

Categories: Infectious Diseases

This is an acute infectious disease,
characterized by a peculiar eruption. Children are the ones usually

attacked. It generally occurs before the tenth year. It is transmitted

through the atmosphere. The period of coming on is usually fourteen days,

but it may extend to nineteen days. It is perhaps the simplest and mildest

disease of childhood. It occurs but once, is contagious, is very common,

and resembles varioloid. It has a mild light fever and large vesicles

almost the size of a split pea, scattered over the body. There may be few

and there may be hundreds. They are reddish gray and appear first on the

head and face, then on the body, one crop following another on the body.

They are filled at first with a clear liquid, which soon turns yellowish,

then breaks and dries up. They leave no scar unless they are scratched or

are very large. The patient is usually well in a week, but the scars last

longer.



MOTHER'S REMEDY. 1. Chicken Pox, Catnip Tea and Soda Water for. "Put

the patient to bed and give catnip tea. A daily bath of saleratus water is

good and the bowels should be kept open." One of the most essential things

is to keep the patient warm.







PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT FOR CHICKEN POX. Exclude other children. The child

should be lightly fed and on ordinary food. Large vesicles on the face,

when yellow, should be pricked with a needle that has been boiled, then

wash them with a disinfecting lotion twice daily.



The following is a good lotion:



Boric Acid 1/2 ounce (4 teaspoonfuls)

Boiled Water 1 pint



Mix thoroughly and use twice a day on the eruption.



The child should not pick the sores on his face, as this may cause delay

in healing and leave a mark.