ERYSIPELAS

(According to etymologists, from the Gr. tflvt(r6xi, to spread, andirjAot?, near — spreading over the neignbouring parts; but the derivation is doubtful.) Called also Saint Anthont/'s Fire, that saint having miraculously cured it. This disease usually commences with fever, followed by an eruption of a very red colour, sometimes vesicular, and attended by tumefaction. It commonly attacks the head and face, and is at its height from the third to the sixth day; but its duration and progre are very variable in different individuals. The fever which attends this form of erysipelas is more or le inflammatory, and at first cooling diet and aperients are required; and the local irritation and itching may be quelled by cooling lotions, or by sprinkling the part with a puff of hair powder, which is sometimes singularly soothing to the sufferer. From the eighth to the twelfth day, the eruption scabs or scales off. If sickne , shiverings, and delirium attend the height of the disorder, an unfavourable termination may be anticipated. Sometimes suppuration occurs, especially of the eyelids and scalp. The greater number of cases of this disorder have a tendency, in their latter stages, to debility; and bark, or sulphate of quinine, with other tonics, are indicated. But where inflammatory sjTnptoms run high, aperients and diaphoretics must be persevered in; and blistering, and even cupping, are nece ary. Where erysipelas is attended with typhoid symptoms, it is dangerous from the beginning; and wine, bark, am-, monia, and other stimulants, are usually prescribed. In that form of erysipelas which attacks different parts of the body in succe ive patches aperients, diaphoretics, and alteratives are useful; but in every case of this disease, lotions and ointments should be used wttn the utmost caution, and warm or cold water, and milk and water, are generally the best applications. There is a variety of erysipelas which attacks infants, and which is sometimes alarming from its gangrenous or suppurative tendency. Erysipelatous inflammation is also often a sequel of surgical operations, especially in crowded and ill  [s. 429]