Hydriatic treatment of Scarlet Fever in its Different FormsMunde, Charles
Science
Hydriatic treatment of Scarlet Fever in its Different Forms
Munde, Charles
Hydrotherapy; Scarlatina
3) _torpid_, little or no heat, the pulse quick and weak, the
inflammation of the throat undecided, varying, the rash appearing slowly
or not at all, and what there appears of a pale, livid color, the
patient more or less delirious.
58.--1. TREATMENT OF THE MILD OR ERETHIC FORM OF SCARLATINA ANGINOSA.
The _mild_ or _erethic form_ of scarlatina anginosa requires about the
same treatment as scarlatina simplex. I would, however, for the sake of
safety, advise a pack and bath per day, through the whole course of the
disease, in the afternoon, when the fever begins to rise; and during the
period of eruption, when all the symptoms increase, two and even three
packs a day may be required. This depends on the increasing heat and
fever, as well as on the condition of the throat. The greater the heat
and fever, and the more troublesome the inflammation, the more packs. If
the fever and pain increase some time after the pack, in which the
patient may stay for an hour or two, the packing must be repeated. The
length of the pack depends much on circumstances; as long as the patient
feels comfortable and can be kept in it, without too much trouble, he
ought to stay. In case the patient cannot be prevailed upon to stay
longer than an hour, or if the fever increases soon after the pack, it
may be necessary to repeat packing every three or four hours, which is
the general practice of several water-physicians in Germany and England.
59. If the patient becomes restless soon after having been packed, the
heat and fever increasing, as may be ascertained from the pulse at the
temples and the general appearance of the face, the sheet must be
changed, as directed above (46) till the patient becomes quiet and feels
more comfortable. In case of repeated changing of sheet, the patient
should stay in the last sheet, till he has perspired about half an hour,
or longer, before he is taken out to the bath, which should be of about
70 deg., as in all the mild forms of scarlatina. The length of the bath
depends on the heat, and reaction of the patient, who should be well
cooled down all over, before going to bed again or dressing. He ought
not to be out of bed for a long time, and only after a bath, as this
will protect him from taking cold.
60. The throat should be covered with a wet compress, i. e. a piece of
linen four to eightfold, according to its original thickness, dipped in
cold water (60 deg.-50 deg.), well wrung out and changed as often as it grows
hot. It should be well covered to exclude the air. This compress should
be large enough to cover the whole of the throat and part of the chest;
it should closely fit to the jaw, and reach as far up as the ear to
protect the submaxillary and parotid glands located there.
61. When the period of eruption is over, there is commonly less fever,
and the packs and baths may be diminished.
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