It is a contagious disease, more common in cold countries. It is more common in children. It begins with high fever, cold in the head, running of the eyes and dry cough.
On the fourth day, rash spots appear on the sides of the face and the neck and slowly spread to the whole body, appearing last on the hands. After five days, the rash fades away and is followed by a bran-like peeling, which is usually completed in a week’s time.
Fever is not high, but causes restlessness. Bowels are loose, leading to a condition of diarrhoea. The cough is hard.
Treatment
The disease in itself is a natural healing process of the removal of toxins developed in the child’s body due to over-feeding of sweets, cakes, biscuits and puddings by the kind mothers.
The treatment is the same as described in the account of common fevers, starting with fast and water, though orange juice may be given. Light to the eyes is harmful.
Hence the child should be kept indoors in dim light, or his eyes be kept shaded and the room, however, should be well-ventilated. As soon as the temperature is normal and the tongue clears, the child should be taken care of during the convalesence period, in the regulation of his food etc.