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

Although the incubating stage may be longer than that of all other
diseases, the duration of the disease is, fortunately, very short, from two
to four days.
Diagnosis.—After the disease is once fully developed, there is but little
difficulty in making a diagnosis. The spasm of the muscles of deglutition
and respiration, the intense fear of water, the excitation of the patient
on the slightest irritation, are so characteristic that one could scarcely be
mistaken.
In tetanus, which slightly resembles rabies, the disease develops in from
five to ten days, begins with trismus, and very often is attended with
episthotonos.
Pseudo-hydrophobia—lyssophobia—somewhat resembles hydrophobia,
but is purely neurotic, and occurs in hysterical individuals.
A person with a vivid imagination and of a highly excitable
temperament, after being bitten by a dog, develops, in a few weeks,
symptoms that may be misleading. He declares that he can not swallow,
grasps his throat, breathes with difficulty, and to all appearance, has
the true disease. It will be noticeable, however, that the attacks are not
so severe, that the first week passes without the patient growing worse,
and that the temperature remains normal.
Prognosis.—The prognosis is always unfavorable.
Treatment.—Prophylaxis.—The surest method would be, the muzzling
of all dogs, as has been proven in Prussia, and later in Holland. In the
former country hydrophobia was quite common previous to compulsory
muzzling, but since its enforcement the disease has been eradicated.
When a patient has been bitten, the wound should at once be treated,
and the poison removed by suction or the use of cups, or the injured part
excised. Of course the patient would need to be seen very soon after the
injury took place. If this course is not followed, then the wound should
be thoroughly cauterized with carbolic acid, caustic potassium, or the
actual cautery, and the wound kept open for a few weeks.
When the disease is fully developed, the treatment will be for the
purpose of relieving the patient's suffering. Inhalations of chloroform
and hypodermic injections of morphia are the most efficient means for
The Eclectic Practice of Medicine - PART I - Infectious Diseases - Page 248