_

In scarlet fever in from three to five days, rarely later than a week;
in measles in from nine to fourteen days, occasionally as late as
twenty days; in whooping-cough in from one to two weeks; in
chicken-pox in from fourteen to sixteen days; in German measles in
from ten to sixteen days. In diphtheria the time varies much; it may
be only one day, and it may be one or two weeks. In mumps it is
usually a little less than three weeks, the average being twenty days.

_Which of these diseases are most contagious?_

Measles and chicken-pox are very contagious, and very few children who
have not had them can come near a person suffering from either disease
without taking it. Whooping-cough is almost as contagious as measles,
and for young babies even more so. A very close exposure is not
necessary in the case of either of these diseases, and whooping-cough
can undoubtedly be contracted in the open air. Scarlet fever and
diphtheria are much less contagious; for both of these a pretty close
exposure is necessary.

_How long should a child with any of these diseases be kept away from
other children?_

With measles, for two weeks after the rash has gone; with scarlet
fever, for at least four weeks after the rash has gone, and longer if
the peeling is not over or if the ears are running; with
whooping-cough, for two months, or so long as the paroxysmal cough
continues; with chicken-pox, until all crusts have fallen off, or for
about three weeks after the eruption appears; with German measles for
one week after the eruption has faded; with diphtheria, at least ten
days after the throat is well in a very mild case, and four weeks if
the case has been severe; with mumps for one week after the swelling
has gone.

_What should be done when a child shows the first symptoms of serious
illness?_

The child should be put to bed. If it is an infant the food should be
diluted to one half the usual strength; if an older child, only fluid
food should be given. If the child seems feverish, take the
temperature If the bowels are constipated, give a teaspoonful of
castor oil; but no other medicine without the doctor's orders. Send
for the doctor at once, and until he comes carefully exclude all other
children from the room.

_By what nursery training may the examination and treatment of sick
children he made much easier?_

By teaching all children to gargle, to show the throat, to take pills,
and by constantly teaching them to reg