Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-02-08
For the Free Press
DIPTuERIA IN UIgESBURGH.
H1sEsBUBsH, Jan. &c, 1861,

.Mes5rS. EGItoTs;
The epidemic dipfhcrr has pre-
vniled pretty largely in this town. In the last
weeks there have been thirty or more cases in
which the peculiar type Of the disease was posi-
lively shown. Besides these there nave Desn
three or four times as many cases OF sore throat
many Of which would probably have developed in
60 membranous diptheria if judicious and prompt
remedies had not been used. Only one death has
occurred from the disease, ana tina. CT a child
about Two years old, under circumstances which
made the Though application CT the usual rem
eaies dihcult II not impossible. The other cases
are vel, OF believed t. be convalesoent; and new
cascs are moro rare taan a few weett ago.
Ii may be Of some service where the disease now
prevails. or may hereafter prevail, TO state what
is the treatment which seems to he so successful
here In the first place. il may be said that little
reliance can be put UPON measures TO prevent the
disease. save such as are always needfuI TO pre-
serve OF secure heaItAtul and vigorous physical
constitution Preventive dosing, avoidance oft1e
SICK room. OF seclusion from the ordinary sooiai-
ites and business Of life give 10 security against
tae disease often seem to prepare the system for
Il. In the second place. IL may 5e said that wheu
tie disease appears. the best medical advice is
nea5cd al one. The action Of the disease is So
nue. determined by the constitution o
tho paue-- and other causes. that
sound rrofeszio1a. counso. oura. rot to
be neglected. The very severe and sadly
fatal cases which have occurred in Charlotte AM
elsewhere Just before the disease made It's appear
ance mere. had much excited tAe fears OF the PEG
pie. ana made all who mad occasion TO suspect The
disease II their families TO send for the physician
promptly. This mas doubtless been one lmp0rtan.
reason Of has success. II his attendance cannot
/ be Immediately secured. TIE repeate4 gar
/ Cling ol salt and water and the apphca-
,io- cr irritanJs like mustard GA the
oa.side Of the t1roa,, preceded by that o.
spirits Of turpentine TO increase the effect II t1e
attack Of the disease ne vI-ulent. will De always
sale ana probably useful When TIE physician
arrives ne al once examines the INSIDE Of the
taToa, and tie r9nz.-s. Il me whi-isa membrane
-tae peculiar ana dangerous talnc IL the ais
+ ease-1as begun 90 form. thorough application
@, nitrate q silver Is maze 1rst 10y Tie paTzIoal.
A. altervar-s q, intervals OF s or nours 40 VIZ
o.eat cas- e. by LIS attsaaa1- according 20 diree
ts-s carefully given b7 tie physician. The Irri-
ta.to1 OF me surface IS continued ara Il the article
+ is removed. zot, nou-t-ccs are applied to keen up
t1e counter action Oh tle surface IL o--e- to re-
f lIevl the ln1amnatI1u within. rev other rene
dies have been ussl. save ~ cases where the phy-
f. sicial dIls IL ueedtal 90 supper. patient wla
Las become feeble. OF 90 attend O. some other e.
contribution. trouble. The great dread 1t the
disease which thrilled every one five % SIX week
a-.. las very lz--e.-.-t u8, almost wholly. disc
arrea-. v5ea .-= 1a---a an. treatment are
wei. understood it 4aae- that Dc Will uas be the
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