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73
BATTERSEA BOROUGH COUNCIL.
Precautions against the spread of Scarlet Fever and
Diphtheria.
Owing to the prevalence of many mild unrecognised
cases of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria in certain parts of the
Borough, and in order to prevent the spread of those diseases,
it is very important that the earlier symptoms should be
recognised.
In Scarlet Fever the onset is sudden, and usually occurs
within two to four days after infection. The patient vomits—
and in very young children convulsions may occur. The skin
is hot and dry, and the face is often flushed. The tongue is
white with minute red dots showing through the white. The
patient complains of headache and sore throat. After twentyfour
hours the rash develops, appearing first on the neck and
chest, and consists of small red dots on an area of red flushed
skin, and does not appear on the face. The rash persists for
two or three davs. About a week after the onset the skin
begins to peel about the neck and chest, and later on other
parts of the body.
The first symptoms of Diphtheria usually set in about
two days after infection. There is slight chilliness and fever, •
aching pains in the back and limbs. The patient complains of
sore throat. Small hard lumps may be felt on either side of
the neck near the angle of the jaw, and greyish-white patches
may be seen on the tonsils.
In many cases of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria the
symptoms are so mild that the doctor is not called in and the
disease is not recognised until other children have been
infected by the patient. Cases of Scarlet Fever and
Diphtheria, however mild they may be, are highly infectious.
It is very desirable, therefore, in the interests of other
children, that in every case of sore throat, especially when