SCARLET FEVER. Synonyms.—Scarlatina; Scarlet Rash. Definition ...

hours, small nodules develop, which in a few days suppurate and
discharge an offensive, purulent material. The inflammation extends to
the adjacent respiratory apparatus, the pharynx, larynx, and bronchi
often being involved; the cervical lymphatics are also implicated.
A papular eruption appears on the face and trunk and quite freely
about the joints; these rapidly develop into pustules, which so closely
resembles small-pox that the disease has been taken for variola. The
constitutional symptoms are very pronounced, the tongue showing
evidence of sepsis, and typhoid symptoms are present. After eight or ten
days, the patient succumbs to the force of the disease, and death results.
Chronic Glanders.—This is a rare form, and is characterized by less
intense and more vague symptoms and a more protracted course. There
are ulcers in the nose, with a fetid discharge, and more or less
respiratory complications. Muscular and arthritic pains are common;
fever, attended by progressive prostration and general atrophy, follows,
and after weeks or months of suffering the patient dies, though an
occasional case recovers.
Acute Farcy.—In this form the force of the infection makes itself felt in
the skin and subcutaneous tissues, while the nose remains free. The
nodular enlargements are found about the joints and in the course of
tlie lymphatics. When very large, resembling tumors, they are known as
“farcy buds;” these suppurate, discharging a fetid, purulent material.
There is gradual prostration, irregular fever, exhausting sweats, and
colliquative diarrhea, the patient dying in from ten to fifteen days.
Chronic Farcy.—The chief feature in chronic farcy, is the formation of
granulomatous tumors which degenerate into abscesses; they are chiefly
found about the joints and on the lower extremities. They discharge a
thick, yellow pus in the early stage, but this gradually changes to a fetid
ichorous fluid; in some cases the ulceration is quite destructive,
extending to the bone. This may last for months or years, the system
being gradually poisoned, till at last the patient dies of pyemia or
septicemia.
Diagnosis.—The history of exposure or contact with an infected animal
is very important, though the severity of the nasal affection, the
cutaneous eruption, the ulcers, and abscesses would hardly be mistaken
for other troubles. When doubt exists, pure culture should be made and
injected into a rabbit or guinea-pig; if the disease exists, the animal
The Eclectic Practice of Medicine - PART I - Infectious Diseases - Page 239