The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-05-29
The Treatment If Diptheria.

The Treatment If Diptheria.
"A physician who has treated many hun
dreds Of cases Of this disease, which has
made such fearful ravages in this country
for q few years past, prsscfibesi the follow.
ing simple remedies for its treatment and
cure, which, it ,s fclaimedp will in almost
every case conquer, if applied in time and
| used lse' with proper care, Intelligence and
perseverance 6iiIi'ia ri I1iea 81
! Nothing is more insidious than the first
approaches Of dipthsfia, and it's symptoms
darecorespondingly obscure, particularly in
very young children, who are almost oil.
ways the first attacked These ,young vic.
TINS, even when old enoughyto. talk, can
not tell what is the matter with them and.
II not closely watched, the disease will have
progressed too far to be arrested, before, its
discovery, the little ones notIiunfrequently
running about a, short. time before death.
They are always unable for some time, pre-
ylous, frequently for days, to swallow either
drink or food. But this does not always
attract the attention Of parents. In all
cases where any pain Or trouble about the
throet always the first part to be attacked.
is observed, the mouth should Be opened
wide, the tongue pressed down with the
handle Of a spoon, and every part Of the
back Of the throat thoroughly examined. -
II it is highly infamed and swollen, of a
bright red color, with White Or yellowish
spots, Or membranes on one or both sides,
no time should be lost in applying the most
vigorous treatment, which, 10 cases far adj
Vanced, should be kept up both day and
night, without intermission, until every
vestige of,the disease is conquered.
Every household should Keep on hand at
least 9 two-ounce vial Of the tincture, Of
mlru l lt OF iron, which should always be
ready and accessible. Prepare a wash of
equal parts of the tincture and Of pure,
water lin critical cases, where instant ef-
feet is required, the undated tincture
alone may beused,) and with small swab,
made OF rag tied upon stick, open the
mouth, pressing down the tongue as before
with a spoon, and thoroughly ,swab and
wash out all the back part of the throat
behind the tongde, rubbing the parts Gov
cred with the membrane with some force, |
IN order to ,detach it and destroy its further
growth. This should be frequently repeat |
ed IN severe cases every half hour, or off,
ener, all night as well as through the day,
till the progress Of the disease is effectualE
arrested. Some obstinate cases will occa-
sionally hold out three or four DAVIS; tie
majority will yield in less than half the
time t IN |. and the remedy has never been known
to iall, when properly and perseveringly ap.
plied. j ~ sftg fgY ~
AT tie same time . saline solution Of
half an ounce of ,chlorate of potassa, dis
solved in half a pint Of water, should be-
Kept on hand and given to the patient,
adults taking "a Gteaspoonfult every two
hours, and infants but few drops, accord
ng to the age, to arrest any fever present.
Grown persons occasionally prefer using
The wash more largely diluted with water
rs gargle, still keeping up the use Of the
'wab; and if the case fails to yield alto
sether in a fey days, two grains Of quinine
nay be given every three hours, and a few
hops chewed III the mouth, swallowing the
bitter extract, sometimes washing the /,
mouth with q decoction ofhops STEPPED ini
vater. IN
Every head Of q family who may read {
;hese directions should lose 10 tYme ID be-
ng provided with these cheapand etfectual
and in applying them without {
my delay upon occasion, even, ifa physi. {
ian is called in as soon as possible. From.
'ast experience it is believed that both t
physicians and the public would do well told
pply these remedies as idirectedsin the ia
asses required, instead of much of the or n
inary practice ih'treatment ofthis terrible III
isease. Every mother should examine t
be throats Other children several times q t
!eek, and promptly resort to their nse as +
ooye directed, upon the slightest evidence 9