The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1874-10-08
..
Treatment of Diphtheria.

The following advice from physician
of high reputc, as to the treatment Of this
malady is taken from the N. Y. Tribune:
Diphtheria has prevailed SO long and
terribly in Brooklyn and this city, that
the opinions of the wisest and most ex-
pcrienccd physicians should be sought, in
the hope ofindins some remcdy:for it.
Among the poor, bad air and food are
among the most active causes of the great
mortality frorl it; but still it will
often single out and kill its victims
among the children of the rich, cleanly and
judicious.
In every case of the disease of course
pure air, if possible, and good food, even
if it have to be begged, should be procur-
ed. Any really good home made soups, be
they of beef, mutton, or chicken, are just
as good and often far better than beef tea;
and they may be changed from one to the
other as they pail upon the patients taste.
Good. undiluted milk is quite as useful as
any kind: and it may always be prevent
cd from turning sour, or making the pa
ticnt bilious or fcverish, by the addition
Of a large pinch of soda to each tcacup of
milk.
Beef tea, soup or milk should be taken
frequently and in as large quantities as
the stomach will bear and digest without
danger of causing disgust or nausea.
If stimulants are required, and they
arc generally wanted early and abundant
ly, milk punch is the best; but it should
always be made with the 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, &c., may
be used as bland vehicle for administer
ing stimulants.
Then of all the remedies that long
experience (over thirty years. has proved
emincntly reliable, chlorate of potash is
the best but it should be given in one
way only, and also o.'thoroughly. 1t tshould
be given dry upon the tongue, pure not
mixed with sugar, and not in solution
By giving it in this way, it dissolves slow
ly liz the mouth, and gradually aud eff
ciently comes in contact with all the dis
eased parts of the body.
1t Is slightly disagreeable at first; but
the youngest child soon becomes accus-
TONED to it. 1t takes away the supposed
necessity for forced local applications to
the throat, and if the little patient bo
taught to open its mouth without strain
ing to draw in its breath deeply at tho
the same time, the curtain of the palate
will be drawn up, and tho whole back part
of the throat, down to the windpipe, will
be exposed to view, without the use of
any harsher means to obtain view of the
parts involved in the disorder.
This treatment must be persisted in,
the chlorate of potash being given in
doses Of two, three, five or more grains
every hour at first, until some decided
improvement commences, or for one, two
three, or even more days, without hesita-
ton or faltering. Often no apparent i'm.
provement seems to take place for one,
two, or more days, sometimes not until
nearly up to the fourth day. But cour-
age and perseverance will almost certainly
be rewarded with success; certainly four
or five times out Of six.
This treatment is considerate, but eff
cent; the child never becomes afraid of
its physician or attendants; and generally,
with little management, takes or does all
that is required of it, because its handling
is always gentle, Or at least not harsh or
distressing.
If the debility be very great, muriate
tincture of iron may be required If the
mouth be dry, glycerinc may be put on it
frcqcntly.
1t may be true that in the most dcsti.
tute, filthiest and careless classes the be-
ginning of diptheria may be thebcginning
Of death, but am very sure that a vast
number of lives can be saved by the treat.
ment above indicated. J.C.P.
New York, September s, 1874.
y LIVE LANTERN-In the West In
dies, and some other hot countries, there
are distant relations of our glow worms