The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-12-11
DlPHTHER|A.

throws off can carry the Infection.
D|PATAERIA.
How 1t Bestns--How 1t Spreads, and
the Remedies.
IN. Y. Tribune Board of Health Report,
Dec. 2d.]
The Sanitary Committee made very
interesting and important report upon
diphtheria, which was adopted by the
Board of Health. The report first
speaks Of the mode of attack. Diph-
liberia is caused by the incubation of
the air passages with the diphtheritic
poison, which from this point infects
the whole system. The local inAamma-
ton is attended with the formation Of
membrane (exudation). The fever and
general symptoms are the result Of this
local infection. Diphthcria is there
fore contagious disease mot, perhaps,
as markedly so rs scarlet fever), in
duced by contact with objects and per.
sons infected. 1t may be diffused by
the exhalations Of the sick and the air
surrounding them, or directly by the
emulation, as in the act OF kissing.
coughing, splitting, sneezing, or by
the infected articles used, as
towels, napkins, handkcrchlefs, &c.
The poison clings with great tcnacity
to certain places, rooms and houses,
where it may occasion cases after
lapse Of months. In ordinary attacks
the poison begins to act the moment it
lodges upon the tissues, but, like vac.
cination, causes slight sensible effects
for from two TO five days. Then there
is marked prostration, dryness Of the
throat, and pricklng pain in swallowing.
The throat becomes red and patches of
white emulation appear. The glands of
the neck swell. In mild cases these
symptoms subside on the third or
fourth day after their appearance. If
more severe. these symptoms may be
prolonged and the fever increases, the
local inflammation spreads. and exuda.
ticn rapidly follows. Diphthcria at
tacks by preference children between
the ages Of one and ten years,
the greatest mortality being
in the second, third and fourth
years; children Of feeble constitutions,
and those weakened by previous sick.
ness, and those suffering from catarrh,
Group, and other forms Of throat affec.
tons. All classes are liable to attacks
of diphtheria where it is prevailing, but
those suffer most severely who live up
On low, wet ground, in houses with i'm.
perfect drainage, or surrounded by
offensive matter, in damp rooms and
cellars, in overcrowded and lily vent,la-
ted apartments. Diptheria is not affect
ed by either snow or rain, cold or heat
or drouth.
The precautions suggested are clean
illness in and around the dwelling, and
pure air in living and sleeping
rooms are Of the utmost impor.
lance wherever any con-
tagious disease is prevailing, as cleanli-
ness tends both to prevent and mitigate
it. Every kind and source Of filth
around and in the house should be
thoroughly removed. Cellars and foul
areas should be clcansed and disinfec-
ted, drains should be put in perfect
order, dirty walls and ceilings should be
lime washed, and every unoccupied
room should be thoroughly ventilated.
Apartments which have been occupied
by persons sick with diphthcria should
be cleansed with disinfectants, ceilings
lime-washed, and woodwork painted;
the carpets, bed.clothing, upholstered
furniture, &C., exposed many DAYS to
fresh air, and the rooms exposed to
currents Of fresh air for at least one
week before reoccupation. No child
should be allowed to kiss strange
children, nor those suffering from
sore throat (the disgusting custom Of
compelling children to kiss every visit
Or is we'll contrived method Of propa.
eating other grave diseases than diph-
thcria,) nor should a child sleep with
or be confined to looms occupied by,
or use articles, such as toys, taken in
the mouth, handkerchief, etc., belong
ing to children having sore throat,
Group, or catarrh. If the weather
should be cold the child should be
warmly clad in fannels. When the
diphtheria is in the house or in the
family the we'll children should be scru-
pulously kept apart from the sick, in dry
well'aired rooms, and every possible
source Of infection through the air. by
personal contact with the sick, and by
articles used about them, or in their
rooms should be rigidly guarded. Ev-
cry attack of sore throat, Group and ca
tarrh should be attended to at once.
The feeble should have invigoratine
food and treatment. The sick should
be rigidly isolated in well.aired 1.-THE air
being entirely changed at least hourly,)
well.lighted rooms, the ohtAcw OF air
being as far as possible through the ex.
ternal windows by depressing the upper
and elevating the lower sash or chin
ney heated by fire in an open fire.
place. All discharges from the mouth
and nostrils should he received into
vessels containing disinfectants, as solu-
tons Of carbolic acid or sulphate of zinc,
or upon cloths which arc Immediately |
burned, or, if not burned, thoroughly |
boiled or placed under disinfccting fluid !
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