Measles Alternative Treatments

By Robert Grey Reynolds, Jr

Two alternative treatments for measles epidemics were used beginning in 1929. Amidopyrine was first employed by a Chicago physician who later became known for a breakthrough treatment of meningococcal meningitis. He began using amidopyrine by 1929. Gamma globulin was made available for use to the public beginning in 1944 when a surplus was realized by the U.S. military. My e-book recounts the turbulent and desperate era of measles epidemics in New York State from 1946-1948. Physicians were grasping for methods to weaken a contagion that spread like wildfire through schools in some areas while other locales were left almost unaffected.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Grey Reynolds, Jr
• Release date: Feb 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311688446

Robert Grey Reynolds, Jr

I am a soon to be retired Duke Medical Center library researcher, who enjoys writing. I have been writing on Wikipedia for years and have begun to writeebooks. My pastimes include selling books on EBay, genealogical research, baseball (Pittsburgh Pirates), collecting antique furniture and coins, and spending time with Kingsley, my cocker spaniel.

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Measles Alternative Treatments

Published By Robert Grey Reynolds Jr. At Smashwords

Copyright 2015 Robert Grey Reynolds Jr.

During the month ending on November 30, 1948 there were a total of 156 cases of measles reported to health authorities in Schenectady, New York. Many cases had yet to be reported and others were under investigation. Over time health officials had learned that only about one third to one half of all cases of measles come to the attention of health departments.

The 150 November 1948 cases were considerably higher than for the entire year of 1947 (73) as well as the earlier portion of 1948 (107).

Schenectady city health commissioner Dr. Malcolm A. Bouton (August 22, 1907-February 1983) advised parents that the measles outbreak was spreading. He warned them to take every precaution to prevent exposure among children under two years of age, or those who were weakened in any way from other illnesses.

The November 1948 measles outbreak began in the Upper State Street area of Schenectady according to health department records.

This was evident from reports from Lincoln, Brandywine and Woodlawn Schools. For some time the epidemic remained confined to these areas.

However later reports disclosed that measles infections had made their way across the entirety of Schenectady. Babies, young children and those weakened by some other disease should be kept away from any child with a cold, Dr. Bouton advised parents. A child who has watery eyes today may develop a measles rash tomorrow, he explained. When measles is found in a neighborhood, young children should