SCAELATINA UNKNOWN IN INDIA. Most of

our

readers

that up to the

aware

are

present

time the

existence of scarlatina in India has been denied; it was therefore a mutter of no small interest when Dr. Maunsell announced in our issue for last December, that he had met with a of scarlatina at Simla; for, supposing this were a genuine

case

instance of the disease, medical men in this country must have overlooked its existence during the last century?an idea conto reason, or else, this case of scarlatina was an instance of disease springing up de novo in Simla?a circumstance which

trary a

we

can

credit than that the

genesis phenomenon which has, under the cognizance of man. We may various forms of disease, but their birth plant

no more

or

animal is

a

of

a new

or

ever

species

of

will come

watch the death of is not within our

ken. The

ing

question, therefore,

case ;

we

cumstances related and

arises

as

to the facts of this interest-

do not, of course, for

by

an

instant

question the cirour enquiries?

Dr. Maunsell, but from all

regarding this matter?we must persuaded that this case was a genuine one of scarlatina, and we are of opinion that, as far as our present knowledge extends, scarlatina is unknown in this country. We should hardly have expressed ourselves with confidence on the subject had we not given it our best attention, but it seems necessary to write plainly on this matter, because the Lancet of the 11th February quotes the Indian Medical Gazette, as an authority for the following statement:?" The occurrence of scarlatina in the hills or plains of India has been denied by many medical men practising in that country. Be this as it may, Assistant-Surgeon Maunsell, of the Royal Horse Artillery, met with a case of scarlatina at Simla in May last, of which he published a short description in the Indian Medical Gazette. Some scepticism prevailed at first as to the accuracy of his observations, in consequence of the asserted non-existence or extreme rarity of such a disease as scarlatina in India. The Sanitary Commissioner for India, Dr. Cuningbam, was satisfied of the reality of the case; and other medical officers have since encountered undoubted examples of the disease in the hills. Some of the Calcutta physicians, moreover, are of opinion that they have lately had cases of scarlatina. The say

they

have been numerous

we are

by

no

disease appears

country

;

means

to

be of

a

milder

but it presents the

type

same

than is met with in this

characters, and, to judge

from the way in which it spread in a family residing at Simla, is as contagious in India as at home. It is very possible that the

disease has been imported into India.

The freer intercourse of

late between that country and England, and other European places, may have rendered this an easier matter than hitherto ; but it is to be regretted that the history and causes of the out-

break have

not

been

thoroughly

traced."

We think the Lancet is mistaken in this matter, especially with reference to scarlatina occurring in Calcutta; nevertheless, we we

are open to conviction, and would gladly yield the point if had evidence to convince us that scarlatina has ever been met

with in this country.

The issue is

and it is incumbent

any

on

highly important one, positive eviof the judgment profession.

one

dence) to submit it fully to the

a

in possession of

-