occurs most
frequently in the spring. The period of development, from the time the
germs enter the body until the appearance of the disease, lasts from
three to seven days.

Erysipelas begins with usually a severe chill (or convulsion in a
baby) and fever. Vomiting, headache, and general lassitude are often
present. A patch of red appears on the cheeks, bridge of nose, or
about the eye or nostril, and spreads over the face. The margins of
the eruption are sharply defined. Within twenty-four hours the disease
is fully developed; the skin is tense, smooth, and shiny, scarlet and
swollen, and feels hot, and is often covered with small blisters. The
pain is more or less intense, burning or itching occurs, and there is
a sensation of great tightness or tension. On the face the swelling
closes the eye and may interfere with breathing through the nose. The
lips, ears, and scalp are swollen, and the person may become
unrecognizable in a couple of days. Erysipelas tends to spread like a
drop of oil, and the borders of the inflammatory patch are well
marked. It rarely spreads from the face to the chest and body, and but
occasionally attacks the throat. During the height of the inflammation
the temperature reaches 104 deg. F, or over. After four or five days, in
most cases, erysipelas begins to subside, together with the pain and
temperature, and recovery occurs with some scaling of the skin. The
death rate is said to average about ten per cent in hospitals, four
per cent in private practice. Headache, delirium, and stupor are
common when erysipelas attacks the scalp. The appearance of the
disease in other locations is similar to that described. Relapses are
not uncommon, but are not so severe as the original attack. Spreading
may extend over a large area, and the deeper parts may become
affected, with the formation of deep abscesses and great destruction
of tissue. Certain internal organs, heart, lungs, spleen, and kidneys,
are occasionally involved with serious consequences. The old, the
diseased, and the alcoholic are more apt to succumb, also the newborn.
It is a curious fact that cure of malignant growths (sarcoma), chronic
skin diseases, and old ulcers sometimes follows attacks of erysipelas.

=Treatment.=--The duration of erysipelas is usually from a few days to
about two weeks, according to its extent. It tends to run a definite
course and to recovery in most cases without treatment. The patient
must be isolated in a roo