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

diseased turkeys, which would seem quite convincing. The author says:
“On the Island of Skiathos, off the northeast coast of Greece, no
diphtheria had occurred during at least thirty years previous to 1884,
according to Dr. Bild, the medical practitioner of the island. In that year
a dozen turkeys were introduced from Salonica. Two of them were sick
at the time, and died soon afterwards. The others became affected
subsequently, and of the whole number seven died, three recovered,
and two were sick at the time of the inquiry. The two had a pseudomembrane
upon the larynx, difficult breathing, and swelling of the
glands of the neck. As further evidence that the disease was true
diphtheria, one of the turkeys, which had survived, had paralysis of the
feet. The turkeys were in a garden on the north side of the town, and
the prevailing winds on the island are from the north. While this
sickness was occurring among the turkeys, an epidemic of diphtheria
commenced in the houses in proximity to the garden, and spread
through the town. It lasted five months, and of one hundred and
twenty-five cases in a population of four thousand, thirty-six died.
Diphtheria from this time was established upon the island, and frequent
epidemics of it have occurred since.”
Predisposing Factors are age, season, climate, and unhygienic
conditions.
Age.—Diphtheria is essentially a disease of childhood, though no age is
exempt. The ages most susceptible are those between two and eight
years, the receptivity diminishing each year thereafter. During the first
year of life it is also infrequent, most likely owing to lack of exposure in
the very young. One attack does not render the patient immune.
While elderly people are not so liable to the disease, physicians and
nurses should be very careful while examining or treating the throat;
for in the struggle of the child a portion of the membrane may be
forcibly thrown into the face and eyes of the attendant during a fit of
coughing.
Season.—It prevails more extensively during the winter and spring
month's.
Climate.—The disease occurs more frequently in cold and temperate
climates than in the tropics. Moisture favors the propagation of all
germs; hence damp cellars, where mold collects, favors the spread of the
disease.
The Eclectic Practice of Medicine - PART I - Infectious Diseases - Page 154