SCARLET FEVER. 745 



Duval corroborated the discovery of Mallory, 

 and demonstrated the bodies in five out of eighteen 

 cases in blisters which were produced artificially 

 during the height of the eruption. Field found 

 them not only in the skin of scarlet fever, but also 

 in that of measles and concludes that many of 

 them at least represent artifacts or degeneration 

 forms of tissue cells. More extensive observations 

 seem to be necessary to establish the nature of 

 these supposed parasites. 



Other micro-organisms which have been de- 

 scribed as the cause of scarlet fever, including the 

 Diplococcus scarlatince of Class, we may pass over 

 with the remark that the claims concerning them 

 have not been upheld. 



The contagiousness of scarlet fever is extreme, 

 and the virus undoubtedly is thrown into the sur- 

 rounding air from the skin of the patient. It is 

 highly probable that the virus also reaches the sur- 

 rounding air from the respiratory passages by 

 means of "drop infection," since transmission may 

 occur before the skin shows involvement. Patients 

 continue to be infectious for from 4 to 6 weeks or 

 longer after the appearance of the eruption. The 

 disease may be transmitted by an intermediate 

 healthy person, or by contaminated clothing or 

 furnishings. The origin of epidemics from milk 

 which has in some way been contaminated seems 

 to have been proved in a number of instances. 



Of great importance for the persistence of an 

 epidemic is the resistance of the virus, which re- 

 mains viable and virulent for months and possibly 

 for years, when under suitable conditions. 



Prophylaxis demands isolation of the patients Prophylaxis. 

 until desquamation is complete; the use of anti- 



