Scarlet Fever In The 1800s

In England, during the 1800’s there was a severe epidemic that took the lives of many. People lived in fear of contracting scarlet fever because it was not something that was easily overcome; it was basically a death sentence due to the crowded living conditions, with poor sanitation and dirty water. The “flesh-eating infection” had many implications, including scientific and medical repercussions, safety concerns, and family effects. This paper will investigate this illness through each of these perspectives.
The medical repercussion for the scarlet fever wasn’t as advanced as our procedures and methods are now, so many of the procedures doctors used weren’t very professional. For example, when patients with scarlet fever were having fits
from the fever, physicians would use a hot iron to blister the skin on the back of their necks because they believed fits were caused by too much fluid in the brain. Other examples were keeping bowels free with fruit, berries, or cracked wheat which also kept the rash down because of the looseness of bowels. Patients were given buttermilk or lemonade to keep down the fever and the room was usually cool and well ventilated.
The family effects of the scarlet fever weren’t enjoyable encounters.