Medicine.

Date:
[1919?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Medicine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    21/454 (page 15)
    TYPHUS FEVER. What is Typhus Fever ? An acute specific infection, characterised by a sudden onset, with marked nervous symptoms ; a macular rash ; and a termination by crisis after a fortnight’s course. Mention the Etiological Factors. The organism is not yet known, and is probably ultra- microscopic. The disease is highly contagious, and may apparently be transmitted by the body-louse. Poverty, dirt, overcrowding, famine, and defective hygiene are contributory causes. Those between ten and thirty are oftenest attacked. Infection is supposed to be transmitted by emanations from the skin and breath. Owing to improved sanitation, typhus is now rare. Describe the Morbid Changes. They are those found after deatl) from pyrexia (vide supra). Fatty degeneration of the heart is common. The petechial rash remains after death. What are the Chief Symptoms ? After an incubation period of about twelve days, the illness sets in suddenly, often with a rigor or rigors. Intense headache, nausea and vomiting, and rapid rise of temperature are also present. The pupils are contracted, the tongue furred, the bowels constipated, and the skin gives off a mousy odour. Delirium comes on early, and is at first noisy. The face and conjunctive are congested. The rash appears on the fifth day, and the patient about this time has a dull, heavy appearance, and becomes apathetic. In the second week the typhoid state may appear; the delirium is of the muttering type, and the