The Tribune

YOUR HEALTH
By
Dr.
Miller M. Ryans
Subject: Ratbite Fever (Haverhill Fever).
Ratbite fever or Haverhill fever was first reported in
epidemic form in Haverhill, Massachusetts in 1926. Since
that time there have been sporadic cases following rat bite.
The strange thing about the wound is that the bite
heals completely at first, but later undergoes painful swell-
ing and then forms small ulcers. The disease follows a
course of intermittent fever lasting three to four days, al-
ternating with periods during which there is no fever of
perhaps three to nine days. The disease is self-limited and
tends to spontaneous recovery. It responds to penicillin
and the death rate is very low.
The writer has not encountered a typical case of rat-
bite fever but it has been my experience to treat many
instances of ratbite; especially of infants left unguarded
in slum areas where rodents abound.
It would appear, therefore, that the best method of
handling this problem would be to improve conditions
which contribute to its occurrence. Places of garbage dis-
posal should be kept protected from rodents as well as the
home itself. If this is done we are then able to prevent
to a great extent such conditions as ratbite fever.
Next week we shall discuss cancer of the stomach.