Measles, diphtheria, scarlet fever, chicken pox, and whooping cough by Weaver
Measles, diphtheria, scarlet fever, chicken pox, and whooping cough by Weaver is a public-health handbook written in the early 20th century. It explains the nature, spread, prevention, and home care of several common contagious childhood diseases, with practical guidance for parents and caregivers and an emphasis on cooperation with physicians and health authorities. The book opens with general principles: specific germs cause each disease; immunity versus susceptibility shapes epidemics; carriers spread infection;
and isolation, disinfection, and fresh air matter more than fumigation. It then treats each illness in turn. Measles is extremely contagious before the rash, shows Koplik spots and a spreading blotchy eruption, and often leads to pneumonia and ear infection; early isolation, convalescent blood to blunt illness, and supportive care are stressed. Diphtheria is caused by a bacillus that forms throat membrane and releases toxins harming heart and nerves; diagnosis by culture, strict quarantine, and prompt antitoxin are vital, with the Schick test and toxin–antitoxin shots recommended for lasting immunity. Scarlet fever (a streptococcal infection) presents with abrupt fever, sore throat, vomiting, a vivid scarlet rash, strawberry tongue, and later peeling; complications include ear disease, nephritis, and heart injury; control relies on prolonged isolation, milk pasteurization, the Dick test, and toxin immunization, plus meticulous nursing and, when possible, convalescent serum. Chicken pox features crops of superficial vesicles mainly on the trunk, is distinguished from smallpox by mixed-stage lesions, and requires isolation until scabs fall and minimal treatment. Whooping cough brings paroxysmal cough with the “whoop,” frequent vomiting, and serious infant risks from pneumonia and convulsions; prevention is difficult early on, a vaccine may lessen severity, and care centers on fresh air, nutrition, gentle sedatives, and abdominal support. Across all sections the message is clear: avoid exposing young children, pasteurize milk, isolate effectively, and seek early medical help. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Weaver, George H. (George Howitt), 1866-1947 |
|---|---|
| Editor | Fishbein, Morris, 1889-1976 |
| Editor | Haldeman-Julius, E. (Emanuel), 1888-1951 |
| Title | Measles, diphtheria, scarlet fever, chicken pox, and whooping cough |
| Original Publication | Girard: Haldeman-Julius Company, 1924. |
| Series Title | Little blue book health series |
| Series Title | Little blue book ; no. 136 |
| Note | Author's middle initial given as "E" on front cover. |
| Credits | Tim Miller, Franciszek Skawiński and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | RJ: Medicine: Pediatrics |
| Subject | Communicable diseases in children |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 78158 |
| Release Date | Mar 10, 2026 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 193 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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