V. OF THE TREATMENT OF SCARLET FEVER.
Little modification is required in the treatment of scarlet fever. The
most important difference between continued fever without and with an
eruption, is the greater predominance of nervous affection in the former
and of inflammatory affection in the latter. Accordingly, in scarlatina
there is not only a greater tendency to inflammation than in ordinary
fever, but the inflammation which is set up in the febrile circle of
organs approximates more to the character of pure inflammation. There is
greater vascular action, with less nervous and sensorial depression. The
consequence is, that blood-letting may be carried to a greater extent,
and will be attended with still more decided and more certain efficacy
than in ordinary fever. After a decided impression has been made upon
the vascular excitement by general bleeding, the application of ten or
twelve leeches to the throat is of sovereign efficacy. If scarlatina be
treated in this manner on the second day, or sometimes even on the
third, though it commence with exceedingly severe symptoms, yet the
patient will be convalescent in the course of three or four days.
It is not probable that much advantage would be derived from the detail
of numerous cases to illustrate the modification of treatment, and the
circumstances under which particular remedies should be chosen. A few
are subjoined as specimens of the ordinary extent to which bleeding may
be carried, and of the usual conditions under which wine may be
exhibited, and of the results, when favourable, produced by each remedy.
CASE CXI.
MARY ANN HUNT, æt. 24, servant. Admitted on the 14th day of fever:
attack commenced with shivering, succeeded by heat, nausea, and
head-ache; until last night, has had no stool for five days. At present,
no pain of head or chest; much pain of limbs; sleeps well; severe pain
over the epigastrium, increased considerably by coughing and by
pressure; tongue thickly coated with a whitish-yellow fur, through which
the papillæ appear large and prominent; much thirst; no appetite; no
stool to-day; skin warm; catamenia regular; pulse 135, of good strength.
V.S. ad ℥xxvj. Haust. Sennæ Sal. quam primum. Acid. Mist. pro potu.
Mist. Acet. Amm. C. 6tâ q. h.
15th. Pain of limbs quite gone; that of epigastrium also entirely
removed; no tenderness on the fullest pressure; tongue more clean; less
thirst; several stools; slept well; skin cool; pulse 84, soft. Blood in
both basons very buffy. Cont. med.
16th. Continues quite free from pain; tongue nearly clean; two stools;
skin cool, moist; pulse 88. Pt. med.
18th. No return of pain; tongue clean; pulse 87; four stools; skin
natural. Pt. med.
22d. Sat up yesterday and the day before, since which the skin has
become more warm, the pulse more quick, and the tongue more loaded, but
there is no local pain, and the bowels are open.
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