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

jaundice is sometimes observed, and is a symptom of great danger.
As a rule, these early manifestations of the disease result in death,
either at birth or at an early period, the number surviving being very
small.
At Birth.—While the majority of syphilitic babies are born apparently
healthy, being rosy and plump, the visible effects not appearing till the
end of the fourth week, a certain number come into the world with the
characteristic syphilitic cachexia. Their puny, feeble, emaciated bodies
put so great a handicap upon them in the battle for existence, that few
survive the struggle but a few weeks. The sallow or jaundiced skin is
wrinkled and flabby, giving the child a prematurely old look.
Snuffles render the respiration difficult, the child breathing through the
mouth, and frequently interfering with the child's nursing. Ulcers and
fissures appear at the orifices of the body, especially at the mouth and
amis. With the exception of pemphigus neonatorum, skin eruptions are
rare. There is generally enlargement of the liver and spleen. Disease of
the bones is often seen, with separation of their epiphyses.
Early Manifestations.—After four, six, or eight weeks of apparent
robustness, the child develops a nasal catarrh, syphilitic rhinitis, which
greatly interferes with nursing and respiration. This condition, known
as snuffles, is attended by a mucopurulent or bloody secretion. This may
be followed by ulceration and necrosis of the nasal bones, resulting in a
depression at its base, which is characteristic of congenital syphilis. The
catarrh may extend to the middle ear, giving rise to otitis media,
followed by deafness and otorrhea.
The cutaneous symptoms early make their appearance, usually about
the nates, either as an erythema, eczematous patches, or papules. They
are of the characteristic coppery color. With these several symptoms the
hair on the head and eyebrows may fall out, while the finger-tips
become red and inflamed, and the nails finally separate and fall off.
Ulcers or fissures about the mouth now make their appearance, the
discharges from which are highly infectious, and, if nourished by a wetnurse,
transmit to her the disease. Other members of the family also
may become infected by kissing and fondling the babe.
The spleen is usually enlarged, as may be the liver, though this is not
characteristic. There is not so apt to be glandular enlargement in this as
The Eclectic Practice of Medicine - PART I - Infectious Diseases - Page 223