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

“Upon a closer examination of these children, it was found that, in
general, the upper lip was swollen, the tongue foul, or sometimes of a
bright-red color, indicative of acidity of the stomach, the breath
offensive, the nostrils nearly closed by the swelling of the mucous
membranes, the abdomen tumid and tense, and the skin dry and harsh;
but, that which appertains most to my present subject, the cervical
glands were more or less swollen and tender; and I am within bounds
when I assert that nearly one-half of those unhappy children had the
characteristic signs of scrofula in their necks.”
This form is also very common among the colored race.
Symptoms.—The first evidence in this, as in all other forms of
tuberculosis, is an enfeebled vitality, and the various symptoms that
arise from an imperfect elaboration of blood. The visible local
manifestation is the enlargement of one or more of. the cervical glands,
usually the submaxillary. These are generally spoken of by the parent
as kernels, and may remain quite small and firm for weeks, wdien, from
cold or perhaps from some of the many unassignable causes, the vitality
is still further reduced and a new acivity is developed in the glands,
which increase in size, varying from that of a walnut to that of an egg.
There is usually a greater development on one side than on the other. A
low form of inflammation sets in, and deposits take place in the adjacent
tissues, which become swollen and hard. The inflammation now becomes
more or less acute, the part is reddened, painful, hot, tender on
pressure, and the swelling increases rapidly. Continuing in this way for
a longer or shorter time, suppuration commences, and the deposit is
gradually changed to pus, which in time makes its way to the surface
and is discharged.
This occupies a variable period of time, sometimes passing through all
its stages in eight or ten days, and at others occupying as many weeks.
In some cases the inflammation is acute and the pain severe, but in
others it progresses without much redness, heat, or pain. The pus forms
slowly in many cases, and there is but little tendency to its discharge,
while in others weeks pass, the part still continuing hard; and at last,
when our patience is nearly exhausted, suppuration occurs rapidly.
Sometimes the pus is well formed and healthy, and, when discharged,
the part heals rapidly; at other times it is watery, of a greenish-brown
The Eclectic Practice of Medicine - PART I - Infectious Diseases - Page 190