| Rx. | Potass. Chlorat. | drachm ii; |
| Tr. Ferri Chloridi | fl. drachm ii; | |
| Syrupi | fl. oz. iv. M. |
S. Half a teaspoonful every hour to two hours to a child of three years; a teaspoonful to a child of six years.
Small doses of this medicine frequently administered act beneficially on the surface of the throat and tend to prevent the anæmia which is so common after scarlet fever. If the medicine be given gradually diluted with only a moderate amount of water, the effect is better on the inflamed fauces. Potassium chlorate is known to be an irritant to the kidneys in large doses, causing intense hyperæmia of these organs, with bloody urine or suppression of urine. The melancholy fate of Fountaine, who died from the effects of one ounce of this medicine, is known to the profession. I have seen a similar instance in a child. But doses of one to four grains, according to the age, can be administered with safety to children, so that half a drachm to a drachm and a half are taken in twenty-four hours. A quantity much exceeding this amount involves risk. In mild cases it is not necessary to treat the throat by topical measures, the above prescription producing sufficient local effect, but camphorated oil may be used externally. I ordinarily prescribe quinine in small doses for this form of scarlatina, as in the following formula:
| Rx. | Quiniæ Sulphat. | gr. xvi; |
| Ext. Glycyrrhizæ | scruple ss; | |
| Syr. Pruni Virginianæ | fl. oz. ii. M. |
S. One teaspoonful every fourth hour to a child of three to five years, the potassium chlorate and iron mixture being administered twice between.
The treatment of scarlatina by antiseptic remedies will be considered hereafter.
The itching and dryness of the surface, which increase the discomfort of the patient in mild as well as severe scarlatina, are relieved by frequently anointing the whole body with vaseline, cold cream, or butter of cocoa. Carbolic acid is an efficient remedy for pruritus, while it is also a disinfectant. It may be used in the following formula:
| Rx. | Acidi Carbolici | drachm i; |
| Vaseline | oz. iv. M. |
S. To be applied over the entire surface.
In New York leaf lard has long been employed as an unguent over the entire surface in scarlet fever, and patients experience benefit from it. Alcohol and water or vinegar and water are sometimes employed for the same purpose. The linen should be changed every day and the bed thoroughly aired.