The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-10-16
Treatment of Diptherid.
HAHAGE&BLE II PROMPTLY
TAKEN IN HAND.


TAKEN IN HAND.
Diptheria has prevailed so long ana ter
ribly in Now York and Brooklyn that the
opinions of the wisest and most experienced
physicians should be sought, in the nope
of finding some remedy for 1T. Among the
moor. bad air and fscd ere among the most
active Causes Of the great mortality from
II brt still Il will only too often single
out and xiii It's victims among the children
of the rich, cleanly, and judicicus.
In every case of the disease of course
pure air, if possible. and good food, even
if it has tc be begged, should be procured.
Any really good home made soups, be they
of beef, rlltton or chicken, are just as good
and often far better than beef tea ana
they may be changed from one to the other
as they pail upon the patient taste Good,
uudiIuted milk is quite as useful as soup OF
anv kind and it may always be prevented
from turning sour, or making the patient
bilious or feverish, by the addition of
large pinch of soda to each teacupful of
milk.
Beef tea, soup, or milk should be taken
frequently, and in as large quantities as
the stomach will bear and digest withou:
danger of causing disgust ol nausea.
If stimulants are required, and they are
generally wanted early and abundantly.
milk punch is the best; but it should al
ways be made with TIE addition of soda or
lime water to the milk, for the reasons
above stated.
If milk punch becomes distasteful, bar
ley water, rice water, arrow root, etc, may
be used as bland vehicle for administer
ing stimulants.
Then of jail the remedies that long ex-
psrience {over thirty years. has proved en-
inentiy reliable, chlorate of potash is the
best; but it should be given in one way
only, and also thoroughly. 1t should be
given dry upon the tongue, pure, not mixed
with sugar, and not in solution. By Civ
ing it in this way, it dissolves slowly i'll |.
the mouth, and gradually and efficiently |
comes in contact with all the diseased parts |
of the throat.
1t is slightly disagreeable at first, but the |
youngest child soon becomes accustomed
TO it. 1t takes away the supposed neces-
sity for forced local applications to the
throat, and if the little patient he taught
to open its mouth widely, without strain
ing, and to draw i'll its breath deeply at the
same Sine, the curtain OF the palate will
be drawn up, and the whcle back part of
the throat, down to the windpipe, will be
exposed to view, without the use of any
harsher means to obtain a view of the parts
involved by the disorder.
This treatment must be persisted in, the
chlorate of potash to be given in doses of
two, three, five or more grains every hour
Mt first, until some decided improvement
commences, OF for one, two, three, or even
more davs, without hesitation or fatering.
Often no apparent improvement seems to
take place for one, TIVE, or more days
sometimes not until nearly up to the fourth
day. Bot courage and perseverance will
almost certainly be rewarded with success;
certainly four or five times out of six.
This treatment is considerate, but eff
cient the child never becomes afraid of
his physician or attendants, and generally,
with n little management, takes or does all
that is required of it, because its handling
is gentle, or at least not harsh or Distress
ing.
If the debility be very great, muriatic
tincture of iron may be required. If the
mouth be dry, glycerine may be put into
it frequently.
1t may be true that among the most des-
titute, filthiest and careless classes the be
ginning of diptheria may be the beginning
of death, but l am very sure that vast
number of lives can be saved by the treat
ment above indicated.