The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-01-30
For The Halsbo-oush Recorder.
DIPTHERIA.
Graham, Alamance County. N. G., /
December 18th. 1860.

December 25th, 1860.
DrySls HEARrT, EsQ-Dear Sr.-Haying
received recently several letters from physi-
clans and others asking my opinion IN regard
"a the pathology and treatment OF Pseudo
membvanous sore threat, perhaps more com
monty known by the name of Diphtheria,
beg leave to answer in one general commu
nication through the columns of your paper
as the best medium through which to reply.
This disease, which is doubtless new 10
the profession in this country, land certainly
50 to myself is characterized by insidious-
ness and singuarity Of attack. that is wholly
uncommon, and never noted in any other.
II differs in its pathological progress from
all other disorders, and in despite of the best
hygiene and therapeutic treatment. often
runs Indignantly on to final termination,
almost unparalleled in the annals Of medi-
cine.
Diphtheria is Of Greek derivation. and
means membrane, skin, or hide. Some au-
thors who have written upon the subject make
three cassifcations Cutaneous. Pharyngeal,
or Laryngea, Tracheal Diphtheria.
Never having witnessed the first classifi-
cation, | will confne my remarks 10 the Sc
cond, which is BY far the most common, and
is circumscribed BY the mouth anil TO parts
visible; and 20 the third, where the nasal
and air passages are involved. and the dis
ease extends into the Larynx. Trachea and
Bronchial tubes, which is its almost only ia
tai form; proving so by the filling up OF these
passages with false membrane that ohstructs
and prevents the IN and egress Of air to and
from the lungs. thereby producing suifoca-
tion and death.
Some might come TO the conclusion, that
this was nothing but Pseudo -membranous
Group. To all such l will simply ask, who
ever heard Of Pseudo me mbranous Group
prevailing broadcast over the land, from
Maine to California, as an epidemic, attack
ing frequently, though not very commonly,
persons Of adult and sometimes old age: II
Is said that Gsn. George Washington and
Hon. Preston Brooks died Of Group; but these
are only two isolated cases, and may very
properly be set down as an exception to a
general rule.
Some contend that this dreaded disease is
putrid sore throat; others that it is nothing
more than peculiar type or grade Of scar
latina. think they are separate and dis
tinct diseases. A very distinctive and diff
ferential diagnostic symptom is, that in scar
latina the oxidation always commences in
small points on the epidermis. has no ten
dency TO spread. and may readily be rubbed
or peeled OF from the mucous surfaces. whilst
In Diphtheris, the oxidation commences al
most invariably in small, circular patches
under the epiderInis, consisting Of granular
fbriIlated fibriae, which builds upon itself
and forms dense organised membrane, that
is not thus easily removed, and which IN my
judgment requires for its destruction the
early and most powerful application Of es-
charotics.
Although. in Diphtheria, the exudation Of
limph out Of which conceive the false
membrane is formed. is most generally found
FIRST, upon the tonsillary glands; vet 4 must
not from this fact be COMPOUNDED with Ton.
sillitis, an inflammatOry affection Of much
higher grade than IS found in Diphtheria, aud
which, under prompt and judicieus treat
ment, readily passes OF by resolution, or
otherwise speedily terminates in abscess and
sappuration.
Diphtheria Is, then, peculiar infammato.
nv affection. d low type, attended with an
oxidation Of false membrane, upon the mI-
eous tissues, Occurring both in sporadic
and epidermic forms, at all seasons, and un'
der all temperatures.
Il FIRST made It's appearance in Alamabce
on HIw River. about year ago. Three
wong and promising children died in one
family, and we're III buried in the same grave
Several othefs we're sick 10 the same family
but recovered.
The next appearance Of Il was two week
afterwards, fifteen miles distant. oa the wa
ters Of Alamance. Three families, nearly IL
the same neighbOrhoOd, had the misfortune
10 loose each one Of It's members, rangin.
from three TO nine years Of age, ALI white.
OF this number one was nv patient.
Nothing more, I believe, was heard o
Diphsheria, from December, 1859, until a
bout the FIRST 81 August, 1860. when il agair
made it, appearance on Haw River, Ala
nance, and Black Greek Since that time
have treated one hundred and seventy cases
Numbering from one to a dozen in family
mostly from three to nine years old, ire
spective Of color or sex, without any partic
ular tendency 70 hygiene; attacking ak
The rich A. well a. tie poor. those living 81
the high bills a. well a. those living lo'
down ia the Vallie.; an, however. but
short distance from the above named stream
or water courses.
I1e past season. bifi0s Deen an UNUSUAL
IL wet one, from what ! have just said !
eight be inferred that moisture had some a
gency ID stimulating into life. Or generatin.
ihs disease, BY some peculiar niasma Or poi
sgh floating over vet localities.
n regard tie ttiOlagy Of the disease, ] fee
rather ii the dark, aud can say bot little.
"h DiphiitHa contagious Prom mi
mute researches, considerable experience
and close observation, answer 10 the ailir
native, and say il is Ny practice las beet
speedily 70 separate tie sick from those il
good health. and prevent, i possible, anl
Communication between them whatever.
insist that SIMILAR practice with others cal
do 90 harm, and may be productive Of nue.
good, BY relieving families Of much troabl
and witnessing torture. pain and death, i
thn1r rnid.l