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

From rubella, by the absence of the enlarged post-cervical lymphatics,
the congested fauces, and the short prodromal stage and slight fever of
the latter. From variola, by the shotlike character of the papules of the
latter and their subsequent evolution.
Prognosis.—Measles is generally regarded by the laity as of little
consequence, and something which every one must undergo, and the
physician who has never passed through an epidemic of the malignant
variety, or seen a serious complication, is prone to regard the disease of
minor importance.
In all mild or uncomplicated cases, the prognosis should be favorable,
but where the child is delicate, or has a feeble vitality, and the disease is
attended by respiratory complication, or if it is of the malignant type,
the prognosis must be guarded, though even here, if skillfully treated,
the mortality should not be very large.
Treatment.—There are no prophylactic measures which can be said to
be successful when an epidemic of measles makes its appearance in a
community, and there are no means of hedging it in. It permeates the
air, and the children contract the disease, though not necessarily
exposed directly to a patient suffering from it; and while a few may
escape by isolation, they are the exception.
To limit it as far as possible, the same precautions should be taken as in
other diseases of infectious character; viz., the thorough disinfection of
all the excretions, perfect cleanliness in the sick-room, a thorough
disinfection of the sick quarters, together with the clothing of the nurse,
upon the recovery of the patient.
The medicinal treatment of measles, unless complicated, is very simple.
The child should be put to bed, even in mild cases, to avoid dangers
which would arise from exposure. Sponge the surface with warm sodawater,
and give the child a hot foot-bath. Internally, the small dose of
aconite and asclepias will modify the fever and favor the eruption.
Where there is restlessness and inability to sleep, or where the child
cries out in the sleep, rhus tox. will replace the asclepias. For the
initiative cough, drosera will be called for, drops ten to twenty in a half
glass of water and given in teaspoon ful doses every hour.
The emetic powder on a larded cloth over the chest will be found
The Eclectic Practice of Medicine - PART I - Infectious Diseases - Page 140