Scarlet fever is a contagious and infectious disease, and is an inflammation of both skin and mucous membranes of the body. It has three periods:

1st. Invasion, which lasts from 24 to 48 hours.

2nd. Eruption, which lasts from 5 to 7 days.

3rd. Desquamation, from the 7th to the 21st day.

Eruption commences second or third day after fever, and consists of very numerous points about the size of pin heads. Between these the skin is of natural color. As the eruption develops, the red points unite, but fade in from five to eight days. Symptoms.

Pain in the back and limbs, coldness of skin, headache, nausea and vomiting, followed by sensation of heat and high temperature, often accompanied by delirium. In severe cases, the tongue is swollen and presents a strawberry appearance. Symptoms increase in severity as eruption appears. The urine is scant and of dark red hue. The nervous system and kidneys are most affected by the scarlet fever poison. The disease can be communicated by personal contact, by atmosphere, clothing, animals, or food, especially milk. The scales are the most contagious. The darker the color of the eruption the more severe the disease. Measles, or erythema, are liable to be mistaken for scarlet fever. There is this difference: In scarlet fever the eruption first appears on the neck and chest, while in measles, first on face. Eruption does not always appear, and in such cases it is difficult to distinguish it from diphtheria. The urine of scarlatinous patients should be carefully examined every day after the eruption has appeared, as it not infrequently happens the kidneys are badly inflamed, and if not watched may result in Bright's disease and death.

Diet

This disease is so frequently a source of kidney disease, that great care should be exercised in feeding, until recovery is complete. Milk is the best food. It may be diluted with well-cooked gruels, but not with gelatine or other animal food. In serious cases milk should be the principal food for some weeks. Effervescing waters, barley water, orange and fruit juices (except astringent ones

- raspberries, etc.), may be given to moisten the mouth and quench the thirst. During high fever the patient will take from two to five ounces of fluid every hour. In using animal foods during convalescence, eggs, fish and chicken should be allowed before other meats.