On the Epidemics of 1852-8, 469 
I have used it this year in a school where twenty-six lived. 
Three had the disease when I was called in; two others 
afterwards took it, but suffered very slightly, mixing with 
the children. 
A case occurred in a house with a large family of children ; 
great exclusion was observed: no other child had fever. 
I have given it in cases where the patients afterwards took 
fever; and one died who had regularly taken it fourteen 
days before seizure and during the treatment. 
The evidence is still imperfect, and more facts are required. 
on this subject. My present view is— 
That it protects many from scarlet fever; that in no 
case does it do harm; that many who have taken 
it had the slightest attacks. 
That it does not protect all. 
That its use.as a curative, if it has not been given before 
the attack commences, is not indicated any more than 
vaccination to a person with small-pox. 
With reference to the question of treatment in general, 
they only who are little used to treat disease would tell 
you that all cases of scarlet fever should be treated alike, 
In the early part of the attacks, if the Belladonna has not 
mitigated it, and the symptoms are very severe and threaten 
speedy death, it is a juncture when bleeding from the arm may 
perhaps save the patient. If done at all, it must be done 
early, and with great judgment in the selection of the cases ; 
its object being either to relieve the state of congestion or 
remove a quantity of the poisoned blood: the former is the 
most likely use for the lancet. These are the only cireum- 
stances calling for free depletion for the general disease ; but 
local symptoms which may set in must be met and treated 
with promptness. 
The dropsy after scarlet fever should always be treated 
