Treatment of erysipelas / A.A. Herzfeld.

  • Herzfeld, Alfred Abraham.
Date:
1904
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Treatment of erysipelas / A.A. Herzfeld. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    According to the latest researches, erysipelas has by no means a sharp and well-defined etiology, hut is a disease, which is caused by various organisms. Klemmi found that erysipelas and the deep-seated phlegmon are caused by the same streptococcus. His investigations have shown that a constant purulent discharge from any source, containing any strepto- cocci, is liable to produce erysipelas; hence, such pa- tients should be isolated. So, for instance, eleven cases of erysipelas were caused by the purulent dis- charge of otitis media, existing in a boy who was a patient under the most hygienic surroundings in a hospital. Other cases of erysipelas were caused in the same hospital by a case of osteomyelitis; in both cases streptococci were found in the pus. After their isolation, no more cases of erysipelas occurred. Jordan found that erysipelas is caused not alone by the streptococcus, but also by the staphylococcus aureus, pneumococcus, bacillus typhoideus and bacterium coli. The infective organism causes first a serous exudate which may assume a purulent character; necrosis of tissue may take place, particularly in such structures which are subjected to pre.ssure by fascia and in lymph nodes. Erysipelas in its unocmplicated state is not very contagious, as the source of infection rarely, and only under the most favorable conditions enters tbe outside air; hence, we do not need to be over-anxious to isolate our patients. The course of the di.sease can never be predicted, as light cases may assume a serious aspect and vice versa. Cases com- mencing with high temperatures, rapid pulse, and in- volving a large area, are usually of a more serious nature. With these introductory remarks I wish to say a few words on the modern therapeutics of ery- sipelas. r. Mitteil. aus den Grenzgeb. der Medizin und Chirur gic Tid \'III Heft 3. 2. Miincliener Mediz. Wochensclirift 1901 No. 35.