Medical Times and Gazette Volume 6 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 Excerpt: ...which he (Mr. Richardson) had notes, no less than 14 occurred in infants under two years of age. The returns of the Registrar-General indicated, that out of 12,902 deaths from scarlet fever in patients under five years of age, upwards of 7000 took place before the expiration of the second year. The same returns also showed, that in 3795 deaths from scarlet fever, 410 were in the first year of life, 1797 from the first to the third year, and 1588 from the third to the fifth year. These results were illustrated by tables. The greater prevalence of the disease in early life does not arise from any physiological peculiarity, but from the facts, that recurrence of the disease in the same person is contrary to the general rule, that most persons are subject to the influence of the disease, and that that influence is constantly present in a greater or less degree. The occurrence of scarlet fever in the two sexes was also discussed by the author. Up to the present time, every writer on the subject had asserted that the disease was more prevalent among females than males. The reports of the Registrar-General overturned this opinion, and showed that scarlet fever made no selection in the sexes, but attacked more males or females according to the relative number of males or females susceptible to its influence in any district where it might be epidemical. Three extensive tables were employed for elucidating this point The manner in which the seasons influence scarlet fever was referred to at considerable length; and it was shown, by reference to the general observations of numerous authors, and by extensive statistical data, that the disease was most prevalent in the three last months of the year; next so, in the months of July, August, and September; next so, in Janu...