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access are liable to become infected and capable of spreading this
disease. Many such epidemics have been described; (c) other kinds
of fish have been known to convey the disease when insufficiently
cooked; (d) watercress, &c. Vegetables, such as watercress, which
are eaten raw, are capable of spreading the disease if grown in
sewage.polluted soil and not sufficiently cleansed before consumption.
If the above facts in connection with enteric fever are borne in mind
by the public, it would be possible to bring about a great reduction
in the prevalence and consequent mortality from the disease; and
such a result is so much more to be desired, because this disease
incapacitates and carries off persons in the most active and remunerative
time of life, a time when life's energy and responsibilities are
greatest.
Symptons.—During the early days of the disease, called the
"incubation period," which, by the way, may last from one to three
weeks, the patient has a feeling of weakness and inability for
exertion. Then other symptoms, sometimes preceded by chills or
shiverings, set in, such as headache, more or less constant, loss of
appetite, diarrhoea, pain in the abdomen and fever, which last rises
gradually day by day until it reaches a certain point. About a week
after the definite advent of fever a peculiar rash, consisting of small
rose.coloured spots appear on the abdomen, then on the back and on
other parts of the body. As the symptons get worse the patient
loses flesh and becomes slightly deaf. Numerous complications may
arise during the course of the disease which may lead to a fatal issue,
or the intensity of the fever alone may bring about the same result.
At the end of about three weeks in an uncomplicated case of typhoid
the fever begins as a rule to diminish, and the general condition of
the patient to improve. At this time and for some weeks after there
is great danger of a relapse setting in with the return of the earlier
symptoms, and a prolongation of the course of the disease.
The period during which infection of the patient lasts is from
the commencement of the disease until convalescence has been
established a fortnight.