Each person with measles should be put to bed and kept there until
free of fever. Care must be taken to avoid exposure to drafts. Fluids
are to be given freely, including cold water. Tepid baths should be
given and add much to the comfort of the patient. If the fever is high
it may often be lowered by frequent sponging with tepid water. Even
quite warm water is grateful and the temperature of the bath may be
determined by the feelings of the patient. When pain in the ear occurs
it may often be relieved by applying heat, either wet or dry as most
grateful. The pain is often relieved and the congestion reduced by
putting in the ear a few drops of warm glycerine to which 5 to 10 per
cent of carbolic acid has been added. When there is a discharge from
the ear, the secretion must not be allowed to accumulate. The canal may
be gently washed with warm boric acid solution, using no force, and
then dried with little swabs of absorbent cotton. The canal must not be
plugged with cotton, but the discharge allowed to drain freely. If the
discharge is profuse a pad of gauze over the ear may be used to absorb
it. Persistent discharge or tenderness about the ear demands attention
by someone specially qualified.
The room should be moderately darkened to relieve the eyes. The eyes
should be bathed with warm boric acid solution and sticking of the
eye lids may be prevented by the application to the edges, especially
before sleep, of a little vaseline. The diet at first may be largely
milk, but general diet may be given as the appetite returns. In young
children any intestinal disturbance should receive the attention of
a doctor. The mouth should be kept clean by washing with boric acid
solution or other mild washes. If there has been hoarseness in a child
with measles and it tends to increase, especially if there are any
croupy symptoms, a doctor should be consulted at once. Such cases are
sometimes diphtheria of the larynx, engrafted upon measles.
At the termination of measles the measures for disinfection consist
especially of thorough airing and sunning of room and contents.