MEASLES. 583 



demic is raging. This plan will probably only be adopted in those 

 rare epidemics that are characterized by their malignancy and fatality ; 

 in mild epidemics this will not be done, because we know that sooner 

 or later almost every person has the measles. As inoculated measles 

 is not milder than other cases, and as malignant epidemics are rare, 

 inoculation during mild epidemics has not proved popular. 



If measles has once broken out in a person, we must remember 

 that we have no remedy for cutting short the attack ; also that the 

 medicines usually given for the different symptoms are not only uncer- 

 tain, but often act injuriously on the course of the disease ; lastly, that 

 the great majority of cases end in recovery without any medical treat- 

 ment. If we remain convinced on this point, we shall abstain from 

 superfluous and dangerous medication. To most of the patients we 

 ehall probably give no medicine, but only order proper regimen, and 

 shall only act energetically when actual danger threatens. All mea- 

 sles patients should be kept in an even and moderate temperature. The 

 physician should insist that the temperature of the room be regulated 

 by the thermometer, not by the feelings of the nurse, and kept at 

 about 60 to 65. And the chamber must be aired every day, while a 

 thin cloth is thrown over the head and face of the patient, and his bed 

 is protected from draughts by a screen. The old custom of leaving a 

 measles patient at least fourteen days without washing him, or chang- 

 ing his linen, has very justly been given up, since it has been proved 

 that, notwithstanding the dirt, the exanthema sometimes disappears, 

 but in most cases does not do so, in spite of careful daily ablutions. 

 But this excess of care is no worse than neglect of attention when 

 washing or changing the linen of the patient. Both of these opera- 

 tions must be done quickly, and without unnecessary exposure. Luke- 

 warm water is preferable to either cold or hot. The body and bed- 

 linen should not be taken from the clothes-press and placed directly on 

 the patient, but should be first warmed, and aired, or, still better, worn 

 for a night by some well person. The chamber should be darkened in 

 proportion to the degree of conjunctivitis and photophobia. If we 

 make the room too dark, by thick, green curtains, we render the eye- 

 trouble worse, for the patients are dazzled every time the door is 

 opened, and light enters the room. In the prodromal as well as in 

 the eruptive stage, we should order absolute diet, water-soup, bread, 

 and, if there be constipation, stewed fruit. If the fever subsides dur- 

 ing the stage of efflorescence, we may give meat broth and milk, and, 

 in the desquamative stage, let the patient return gradually to his cus- 

 tomary diet. Simple cold water, that has stood in the room for a 

 while, should be freely given, as it is never injurious, and does not 

 even render any of the symptoms worse temporarily. On the other 

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