THE SIGNIFICANCE OF STREPTOCOCCUS HEMOLYTICUS IN SCARLET FEVER

The more or less constant presence of Streptococcus hemolyticus in the throats of persons suffering from scarlet fever has been known for a number of years. This organism is also the predominant causative agent of the many septic complications of the disease, such as otitis media, adenitis, cellulitis, interstitial nephritis, arthritis and septicemia. Such widespread and general relationship of S. hemolyticus to scarlet fever naturally has given rise to the view that the streptococcus may be the etiologic agent of the disease. This point of view caused much discussion during the first years of the present century, and led to the preparation of a number of antistreptococcic serums for the treatment of scarlet fever. The most important were those of Marmorek, of Aronson and of Moser. Since S. hemolyticus is known to be associated with a variety of pathologic manifestations, discussion concerning its primary significance in scarlet fever has largely