Symptoms.—­The type that appears upon the face is the most common.  The incubation lasts from three to seven days and it usually comes suddenly with a chill, followed by an active fever and with the local inflammation.  In some cases the local condition appears first.  There is at first redness, usually of the bridge of the nose and it rapidly spreads to the cheeks, eyes, ears, etc.  It is red, shiny hot, drawing, but with a distinct margin at its edges, showing how much skin is inflamed.  It may take the form of vesicles.  The eyelids may be so swollen as to close, the face and scalp greatly swollen with watery swelling of the eyelids, lips, eyes, ears, etc.  The glands under the jaw may become enlarged.  The general or constitutional symptoms may be severe.  The fever may rise to 104 to 106 and terminates suddenly.  The parts that were first affected become pale and more normal, as other parts are involved.  It occurs also on other parts of the body.  A sting of an insect sometimes looks like it at first; but it does not spread like erysipelas.  It seems to me to be more dangerous around the head.

[Infectious diseases 221]

Mothers’ remedies. 1.  Erysipelas, Slippery Elm Bark for.—­“Slippery elm used as a wash and taken as a drink.”  Slippery elm is a very good remedy for this on account of its soothing effect to the affected parts.  It is very good to take internally, as it cleanses the system by acting on the bowels and kidneys.

2.  Erysipelas, Bean Poultices for.—­“White navy beans boiled soft and applied as a poultice to the affected parts and renewed frequently is a sure cure for erysipelas if taken in time.”  This is a very good and effective poultice, but care should be taken not to use it too long, as the parts will become too soft and might slough.

3.  Erysipelas, Soda Wash for.—­“Put about a tablespoonful of baking soda in one pint of water and bathe parts several times a day,” This is an extremely simple remedy for such a serious disease, but has been known to do good in many cases.  The baking soda is soothing.

4.  Erysipelas, Easy Remedy for.—­“Keep parts well bathed with witch-hazel.”  A good preparation should be bought.  By applying this freely to the affected parts it will be found to have a very soothing effect.

5.  Erysipelas, Copperas Liniment for.—­“A few cents’ worth of common copperas.  Make a solution and keep applying it.  This kills the poison as it comes on and relieves the pain.  I knew of a very bad case to be cured by this treatment.”

6.  Erysipelas, Cranberry Poultice for.—­“Take cranberries and stew them and make a poultice of them.”  This is a remedy that cannot be beaten for this disease.  It gives relief in a very short time and saves the patient a great deal of suffering.  If the whisky is used to wet the poultice it is much better, as it keeps the poultice moist longer.  All that is necessary is simply to put on more whiskey and it will not be necessary to change the poultice so often.