erysipelas

(er-is-ip’el-as) [Gr. ἐρυθρός red + πέλλα skin]. An acute febrile. somewhat contagious disease, believed to be due to the presence of Streptococcus erysipel’at is, and marked by chill, fever, and intense local redne of the skin and mucous membranes. The eruption, which begins on the first or second day, consists of darkred, spreading patches of erythema, with edema and infiltration of the underlying ti ues. The affected parts become swollen and painful, and there are intense itching and burning. The cruption begins to disappear about the fourth day, and the patient begins to convalesce after eight days. The disease is frequently complicated by the presence of suppre ion of urine, albuminuria, pyemia, and edema of the glottis. Idiopathic erysipelas generally ends in recovery; but the traumatic and phlegmonous varieties are often fatal. and the gangrenous is always so. ambulant e. is marked by the eruption recurring at various points. facial e., erysipelas that affects the face, which is marked by an area of swelling, , redne , and itching. g enous 6., a variety which is characterized by sloughing. It is always fatal. e. gra’ve inter’num, crysipelas in the vagina, uterus, and peritoneum: a form of puerperal fever. idiopathic e., that which does not follow a trauma. It occurs usually on the face or scalp. and follows the usual mild course, invariably ending in recovery unle complicated with some other affection. mal. t ©., one of the forms of puerperal fever. migrante., a form