5749. Treatment for Measles

5749.    Treatment for Measles. In the treatment of the ordinary cases of measles occurring in children otherwise than delicate, little is necessary beyond attention to the temperature of the room, the amount of the bed-clothes, preventing tho access of too strong a light, which affects the eyes, etc.. Great care should bo taken that draughts of cold air are avoided, lest they might prove the cause of increase in the chest complaint, which generally attends the attack; and, while the room is not overheated, it must not, for the same reason, be allowed to be cool. It must be remembered that in measles, as in all fevers accompanied by an eruption, the patient will require a more abundant supply of blankets, etc., before the eruption appears, than after it. Indeed, afterwards, he generally desires light clothing. The room 6hould be well ventilated; all excrements and dirty linen immediately removed. Disinfectants should be used. The sense of heat and dryness of the body, sometimes most distressing to the patient, can be much alleviated by washing the surface with soap and tepid water; too great exposure being avoided by one part of the body being cleansed, dried, and covered, before the rest is exposed. The feeling of tension of the hands and feet can be relieved by rubbing these parts with some greasy matter, such as lard or simple salve. All sources of annoyance or irritation, all noises, should be avoided, and thus sleep is promoted, a condition which most materially affects the welfare of the patient, sleep lessening the fever and increasing the appetite. Food, light and nutritious, such as arrowroot, gruel, good beef-tea, milk, chicken, or veal broth, plain wine, jellies, etc., should be given at the usual hours. The quantity should be moderate, great care being taken that the digestion be not impaired by too large a quantity being taken. Should the patient bo very weak, the food must be administered in small quantities at frequently repeated intervals. There is no stimulant so important as food. The prospect of recovery in all fevers is very greatly if not mainly dependent on the power of digesting and assimilating food possessed by the patient. The bowels should be moved by a mild laxative, such as the lenitive electuary (see No. 5154 (Lenitive Electuary)), effervescing magnesia, or castor oil; and, so as to produce a little perspiration, a small dose (for a child a tea-spoonful), of mindererus spirit (see No. 5143 (Spirit of Mindererus, or Solution of Acetate of Ammonia)), in a little water, may be given at intervals of 2 or 3 hours. If the rash is long in appearing, or shows a disposition to disappear, the development of the eruption may be secured by placing the child in a warm bath; if the child appears sunk and the pulse be feeble, a little warm wine and water may be administered. In ordinary cases, the early appearance of the eruption will be favored by administering a dose of sulphur (a small tea-spoonful for a child, in milk); and if there be much hoarseness, and croupy character of the breathing and cough, it will be expedient to apply a hot sponge over the throat. (See No. 5626 (Treatment of Croup).) With the appearance of the eruption, these symptoms usually decline. Measles not unfrequently terminate in an attack of bowel complaint; this may bo slight, and if so, will not require any medicinal treatment; indeed, it is salutary, but, on the other hand, when severe, and occurring in a delicate child, prompt means for arresting it must be adopted (such as are mentioned under the head of Diarrhea. (See No. 5652 (Diarrhea), etc..) If there be often-repeated sickness, food of the very blandest nature, pounded raw meat (the fat and gristle being removed before pounding), beef-tea, uncooked white of egg diluted with water, barley water, etc., should be given in small quantities, and be very frequently repeated. Thirst, and the consequent restlessness, must be allayed by drinks. Large draughts should be prohibited, as they tend to impair the digestion, and sometimes cause diarrhea; small quantities, swallowed slowly, or ice to suck, are sufficient to allay thirst, and also prove grateful to the patient. The patient, however, must be allowed to take larger quantities of fluids than in health, as an increased quantity is required by the system during the existence of fever. Acid, or acid and bitter drinks are generally found to lessen thirst to a greater degree than mere water, and are, moreover, grateful to the patent. Lemonade with very little sugar, or raspberry vinegar and water, will be found useful. Stimulants are administered to support the strength of the patient. This they do in a great measure by promoting digestion, and by also directly increasing the force of the heart's action. The administration and quantity of stimulants given cannot be regulated by the condition of the patient. Medical advice is particularly necessary here. Various complications are apt to take place, ho that, if possible, advice should be had early in the day. If no advice is at hand, the symptoms must bo treated according to the directions given under the particular heads.