OTITIS MEDIA AND ORBITAL CELLULITIS COMPLICATING SCARLET FEVER: PRELIMINARY REPORT ON LOSS OF HEARING FROM THIS DISEASE

Author:
  • HWHorace James Williams
    Horace James Williams
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Abstract
The material for this paper was obtained from the Philadelphia Hospital for Contagious Diseases during the years 1934 to 1937 inclusive. The discussion will have reference to the recorded literature on the general subject of otitis media and orbital cellulitis complicating scarlet fever, and a preliminary report on loss of hearing in 104 unselected cases of scarlet fever is included. OTITIS MEDIA Scarlet fever produces acute otitis media in more cases than does any other specific disease in this country. A close second place is granted to measles. Some writers would place measles above scarlet fever in their own communities. They may be right. Certainly both are prime producers of aural trouble. I hold the opinion that in Philadelphia the percentage of scarlatinal otitis which proceeds to mastoiditis requiring surgical intervention is substantially higher than that of otitis following measles. Acute suppurative otitis media is the most important complication of