The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-11-30
VOLUME XT. NO. 48.
Diptheria--what is It PA Simple
Cure,

Within the past two years, tho public at
tention has frequently been called to this
disease, by paragraphs telling OF its ravaees
in different places, or of a remarkable NOR
tality from it in individual families. 1t has
prevailed extensively in California. In the
autumn of 1858, il destroyed nearly two
hundred children in Albany, n. Y; in
March, $50, it produced great constorna-
ton in Orange, Connecticut; it is quite
prevalent at the present tiuie in Western
New York deaths are reported from it
every week in Philadelphia, New York and
Boston, and some cases have occurred du-
ring tho last year in all parts of New En-.
glaOd; but IL has been epidemic 50 as to at
tract the public attention in only few
places.
In this city there wore few cases in Au.
gust, 1858, and Ave persons died with tho
disease during the remainder of that year.
In 1856, seventeen persons died of dipthe
ria, and during the present year IL has been
present in the city nearly all ,he timo not,
however, assuming an epidemic character.
1t has passed over ali portions of France
within the last thiriy-five years,and through
out England during tho past six OF eight
yerrs, causing large mortality among chil.
dren. What is il q?
We find the following description in ono
of the City Registrars reports
"Diptheria is O disease of childhood, the
greater portion of its victims, like those OF
scarlatns, being between two and twelve
years of age. 1t commences with the usual
symptoms of cold and with considerable
fover. Simultaneously with these symptoms
and sometimes preceding them, there is a
deposit in spots, of a whitish or grayish
white membrane upon the tonsils and back
part of the mouth This membrane in
creases with great rapidity; the fever be-
comes of typhoid character; there is great
constitutional depression; the breath be-
comes exceedingly fptid, aud in some cases
the glands about tho neck become enlarged
When death takes place, it is caused in
some cases by the extension of the false
membrane to tho air passages, producing
the effects of Group; in other cases it il
caused BY exhaustion and fever from the
poison of tho disease. In some epiGemc'
majority of the fatal cases will die appar
ently from Group in other epdemics the
larger portion will die from the coustitu
tionai symptoms. In the severe epidemic
in the city of Albany, in 1858, fow case
occurred in tho spring and summer, but tn,
greatest severity of the disease was in DC
tober and November.
1t is entirely distinct disease from
scarlatina or Group. though it has some re
lation to those diseases which, ut times
cause doubt in the minds of superficial Oh
servers.
The diagnostic by which it is known from
other complaints of the throat, is tho for
nation of membrane which increases grad
ual!y until the patient lie literally strangIeC
40 death. 1t is sometimes accompanied b.
liberation, and extreme prostration of til
IL. l.. -.at.
these symptoms. yet in either case it
aqually fatal. To arrest the formation 0
this membrane would therefore seem equiv
alent to curing the disease. and this in mos
instances may be dono in tho foIlOwn
manner:
In the early stages of the complaint
which is always accompanied by soreness
aud swelling of the throat, 10: the patton
use simple solution of salt and water, a
a gargle, every fifteen minutes. At til
same time moisten piece Of flannel with
solution of the samo kind, made warm a
the patient can bear it, and bind it aroun
his throat, renewing it as often as tho gargl
is administered, and in the meanwhile sprink
ling fine salt between tho flannel and tn
neck. Use inwardly some tonic or stimu
liant, either separately, or If the prostratio
be great, use both together. The trea,
ment, as may be seen, is extremely simpl
and if used ia the earlier stages of tho dil
ease, will effect complete cure."-Pror
dence r.. H. Post,