Typhus fever is a disease arising from the crowding of human beings into a small space, as in emigrant ships, in prisons and in the poorer quarters of large cities. Typhoid fever is produced from human effete matter thrown off from the bowels. Typhus is liable to become epidemic after famine or excessive privation of any kind. When once originated, it is contagious in densely populated districts; thence it may spread to cleaner and more healthy parts of the city.

The attack is more sudden and its duration shorter, and the temperature and pulse somewhat higher than in typhoid. The eruption on the skin is somewhat like measles. Gangrenous spots are liable to appear, and may assume a very serious aspect. The tongue becomes contracted, dry and black; the bowels are constipated; no appetite; delirium is present, and is followed by coma, in which condition the patient may sink and die, or gradually pass into a more natural sleep, from which he may wake convalescent.

Treatment similar to typhoid. Personal cleanliness; perfect ventilation; good, easily-digested food; milk in its various forms; an abundance of cold water. The circulation and temperature are to be controlled as directed in fevers in general.