Septicemic Plague.—This is characterized by symptoms of severe general infection, with hemorrhages, rapid course, and death in three or four days, without the development of swelling of the lymph nodes. Cultures from the blood show bacteria.
Pneumonic Plague.—The symptoms are those of a severe “lobular” pneumonia, with bloody sputum containing many bacilli. It is usually rapidly fatal. Death rate may reach ninety per cent.
Treatment. Prevention.—Prolonged isolation, disinfection of the discharges, cremation of plague victims, destruction of rats, and preventive inoculation of healthy persons with sterilized cultures of the bacillus pestis.
Immunity following this procedure is said to last from one to eighteen months.
For pain, morphine; for weakness, stimulation; for fever, bathing; for buboes, application of ice, injection of bichloride and excision have been advised.
Dysentery.—A group of inflammatory intestinal affections, either acute or chronic, and of infectious origin, characterized by frequent painful passages, (containing mucus and blood) or by loose movements.
Acute Catarrhal Dysentery.—This is the most common form in the temperate climate The colon is congested and swollen with a covering of blood-tinged mucus on its mucous membrane.
Symptoms.—The invasion: This is usually marked by diarrhea, then cramp-like general pain in the abdomen and frequent mucous, bloody stools, accompanied by hard straining at stool. The temperature may reach 102 to 103 degrees. After one or two days the stools consist entirely of bloody mucus and are very frequent. The thirst is great. In about one week the stools may become normal.
Mothers’ remedies. 1. Dysentery, Sweet Cream for.—“One or two teaspoonfuls of thick cream every hour. Three doses is usually sufficient. (This remedy proved successful with my baby when all others failed).”
2. Dysentery, One Ounce Dewberry Root for.—“Boil in one quart of water one ounce of dewberry root. This should be boiled down to one-half pint and a half wineglassful given to patient two or three times a day, or in severe cases, a half wineglassful every two or three hours until discharge diminishes.”
Infectiousdiseases 227
3. Dysentery, “Colt Tail” Remedy for.—“The herb called “Colt Tail,” steep and drink the tea. It’s a tall weed and grows in damp places. It is one of the best herbs for this.” This is especially good when the discharge from the bowels is bloody or contains mucus.
4. Dysentery, Sugar and Brandy for.—“Two tablespoonfuls brandy poured into a saucer. Set fire to the brandy and hold in flame lump of sugar on fork. This is a very good remedy, and has cured cases when doctors’ remedies failed. This sugar will melt and form a syrup. Dose:—One-half teaspoonful every two hours or oftener if necessary.”