ld
delirium are common. This stage continues from four to six days, and
sometimes longer. Desquamation (scaling off of the skin) commences at
the decline of the eruption, in the form of minute, branny scales. The
duration of this stage is indefinite, and may end in five or six or may
continue ten or twelve days.

If the inflammation in the throat is very severe, it may terminate in an
abscess, which may also occur in the glands of the neck, and sometimes
the inflammation extends to the lips, cheeks, and eyelids. Gangrene
within the throat occurs in rare instances. The disease is easily
communicated, and usually develops in two to five days after exposure.
It occurs most frequently in the third and fourth years of life. There
is no other disease so simple, and yet so often liable to prove fatal,
as scarlet fever; and for this reason we shall advise the attendance of
the family physician.

Domestic treatment may be given as follows, until a physician can be
obtained: Catnip, pennyroyal, or pleurisy-root tea, containing one
teaspoonful of the Extract of Smart-weed, may be given, to drive the
rash to the surface. Cold drinks are suitable to allay the thirst,
nausea, and fever. The sick-room should be kept at a temperature of
about 65 deg. Fahr., and fresh air admitted freely. The patient ought not to
be overloaded with bed-clothes; and the skin should be sponged over
twice daily with tepid water, different parts being exposed
successively, and carefully dried with soft cloths. Soda may be added to
the water, but no soap should be used. The diet should consist of milk,
extract of beef, and soups. Injections may be employed to relieve
constipation, but purgatives should be avoided. We repeat that this
disease is one which requires the attendance of the family physician,
and great care should be exercised during recovery, that no bad results
may follow.

SMALL-POX. (VARIOLA.)

Small-pox is produced by a specific poison, which is reproduced and
multiplied during the progress of the disease. It is contained in the
pustules, and in the excretions and exhalations of affected individuals.
It is established after a period of incubation varying from nine to
thirteen days after infection.

There are two varieties of this disease, known as _confluent_ and
_distinct_ variola; in the former, the vesicles run together, in the
latter, they are separate.

This fever has three stages. The first is that of _invasion_, distinctly