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

troubles, as hemiplegia and multiple sclerosis.
Blood.—The blood is more or less broken down, the fibrin is deficient,
and the tissues are usually stained by extravasation of blood.
Leukocytosis is generally pronounced, the increase of leukocytes
beginning a few hours after infection.
Symptoms.—The symptoms will depend upon the character of the
epidemic, the parts affected, and the complications. We shall not
attempt, however, to classify and describe, as separate forms, nasal,
pharyngeal, tonsillar, laryngeal, etc., believing that, when these
different parts are involved, they are simply extensions of the general
disease, and do not need a special classification and description, but will
treat them as they occur.
Incubation.—This stage varies from two days to two weeks, depending
largely upon the character of the infection and the manner of receiving
the same. If by inoculation, from twelve to twenty-four hours may
constitute the incubating period, and when the infectious material is
very intense, as in the malignant form, the period is also short, from two
to four days. The symptoms during this period are not characteristic nor
constant, but might be taken for the forming stage of any of the
infectious fevers.
Generally the patient is listless and languid, complains of feeling tired,
and is not interested in his play; is fretful and restless at night; eats but
little, but calls for water frequently, being thirsty; the breath is usually
offensive, and the tongue is coated with a moist, dirty fur; the patient
may complain of being chilly and of pain in head, back, and limbs.
These prodromal symptoms may culminate in a chill,' to be followed by
fever of varying intensity.
In some the thermometer alone reveals the increase in temperature,
while in others the fever is active throughout the course of the disease.
The secretions from the skin, kidneys, and bowels are more or less
arrested, while albumen is generally found in the urine. As the disease
progresses, the fever assumes an asthenic form, and the blood shows the
presence of the septic poison by the dirty tongue, fetor, and condition of
the mucous surfaces.
The local phase of the disease is shown very early by pain in
deglutition, though, in rare cases, the patient experiences no pain,
The Eclectic Practice of Medicine - PART I - Infectious Diseases - Page 157