SERUM PROPHYLAXIS OF EPIDEMIC PAROTITIS

Abstract

It is generally conceded that epidemic parotitis is not a severe disease in its typical form. In most cases, especially in children, the disease evolutes without serious complications and without mortality. This malady is not, however, always so mild, and in certain epidemics has been known to assume a malignant form. In the usual case the main complication is orchitis, and this is almost entirely limited to adult patients. It is a most painful condition, however, and, besides prolonging the duration of the acute attack for a week or two, may be followed by atrophic changes in the involved glands. Acute ovarian inflammation may occur in the female, but far more uncommonly than orchitis in the male. Recently, much attention has been drawn to the occurrence of meningitis as a complication. As a matter of fact, mental disturbances and delirium are not unusual in patients with mumps orchitis. Albuminuria has