The Grange advance., 1874-12-08
DIPHTHERlA.
How it Begins-.How it Spreads, and
the Remedies.


IN. Y. Tribune Board of Health Report.
Dec. I'd.
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 infamma-
ton is attended with the formation of
membrane (exudation). The fever and
general symptoms are the result of this
local infection. Diphtheria is there
fore a contagious disease mot, perhaps,
as markedly so as scarlet fever), in
duced by contast with objects and per.
sons infected. 1t may be difused by
the exhalations of the sick and the air
surrounding them, or directly by the
exudation, as in the act OF kissing.
coughing, splitting, sneezing, or by
the infected articles used, as
towels, napkins, handkerch1efs, &c.
The poison clings with great tenacity
to certain places, rooms and houses,
where it may occasion cases after a
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 pricking 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-
titn 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-
tions. 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 ventlla-
ted apartments. Diptheria is not affect
ed by either snow Or rain, cold or heat
or drouth.
The precautions suggested are clean
liness in and around the dwelling, and
pure air in living and sleeping
rooms are of the utmost impor-
tance 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 cleansed and disinfec.
ted, drains shsold be put in perfect
order, dirty walls and ceilings should be
ime.washed. and every unoccupied
room should be thoroughly ventilated.
Apartments which have been occupied
by persons sick with diphtheria should
~ ~AVsAkoVA Will O1oA1A1CCG0AkS$ OSAAASES
ime-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 / well contrived method Of propa.
eating other grave diseases than diph.
theria, nor should . child sleep with
OF be confined to rooms occupied BY,
or use articles, such as toys, taken II
the mouth, hAndkerchiefs, etc., belong.
ing 70 children having sore throat,