The New York herald., 1874-11-02
1874 /
1874.

the above figures very plainly exhibit q steady
increase IN the oeaths rom diphtherla and MEM
branOus Group durng the past three weeks, and
coll Tor some serious attention on the subject In
Staten Island q number or cases have been re-
fatal cases OF this disease dullng the week ending
october II. hudson county, New Jersey does not
rom tns snI dna
mouths OF July and August. Some rather alarming
cases have also been heard Of IN RlchmOnd, Baltl-
more aud other cities ol the south. Charleston
has been especially unfortunate. US during the
past iour or i've weeks tnirty-three children have
died there, seventy per cent OF whom have sue
cumped to dlphtneria.
A HERALD commissioner paid number Of visits
YESTERDAY to the leading physicians IN the city IN
OF the epidemic In course OF conversation with
young physician he learned that there was every
although the Board or Health stll reported an In.
crease 10 the mortality, 1t did not arise rom the
emen;s in wnicn the sick we're conaned. Diphtheris
10 one OF the most infectious diseases that chi.
dren are prone to catch. and should one In lam.
lily Of nve Or six resiaing IN some small apartment
tnat the rest o the family win be more or less AZ
lies OF the rich The infected child Is always re.
moveu into u room by Itself, but even tnen the
in Charleston recently lost four cnudren-sil VIC.
tins TO diphtheria. A great deal is also to be
attributed TO the want OF proper and wholesome
nOurshment, as children In weak aud sicklv
condition are very subject to this malady. There
IL, ho wever, every reason to hope that the worst
y
tnis gentleman only three were affected by diph.
tnerta or Group The stage OF the disease most
dreaded sy Inc medical ss1y M m wnat n
In order to give some idea OF what diphtheria
really Is, how II is treated &C., the HERALD cor
respondent called on leading physician, VINO
makes q specially of the diseases OF children, and
received the following lniOrmaton-
HERALD CORRESPoNDENT-What ID the definition
PHYsiciAN-rhe diphtheria now SO pre- vaent ia
q n III "a tu1 nf
which consist IN the formation Of membrane in
the throat. II is IN the atmosphere, and anything
lowering the system makes one prone to take 1t.
HERALD CoRREsPoNDENT-How DO you mean
lowering the system9
PHYsIcIAN-For instance, q person not dieted
properly Will be In . weak ana lowered condition.
Bad air particularly dir poisoned by any cesspO0ls
and a moist, impure atmosphere, VIII all assist
dphtnerla. Again, persons recovering from
typnoid lever and children with scarlet fever and
measles are liable TO this disease.
HERALD CoRREspoNDENT-What are the symp-
tonss
PnysIcIAN-The disease Is generally ushered IN
with chill, which Is followed oy very great IN
crease OF temperature, u rapC pulse and all the
signs OF lever. As the maady advances the throat
becomes parched. painful and SORE and upon ex-
animation at the commencement OF the disease
the tonsils are seen to be covered with wnirsn
gray exudatiOn, somewhat ike the cufd OF mix.
the larynx and the mouth. When the disease at.
tacks the larynx the irritation makes The patient
suffer with o dry cough.
PHYsICIAN-The prognoss depends on the
character OF the disease. In the case OF epidemic
diphtherla the prognosls is generally bad, out In
sporadic cases we fnd It better, unless In very
young people recently affected with scarlet fever.
HERALD CORRESPONDENT. What are the best
precautionary measures 70 take 2
PHYsIciAN-The best preventive Is perfect
good health. obtained by ludclous exercise, good
iood. bathing and regular habits. Avoid over
work aud other depressing influences. strict
attentiUn should be paid TO drainage and every
care taken to purify the atmosphere OF the house,
Keeping the air dry and saluDrlous. All sudden
exposures to neat and cUid should be carefully
avoided, as they check the action OF the skin and
tend TO encourage the Injection.
HERALD CoRREsPoNDKNT-What Is the pest treat
mentS
PHYsICIAN--The best treatment Is the simplest,
only tending to alleviate the sunerinxs OF the
patient without attempting cure. In years
gone by the patient was put through very
severe, course OF Application, such as
sprnklng caOmel and couterlzlng Now, in
tue opinion oI the leading men oil the day. the
treatment from the commencement should be
tonic. invigorating and supporting, nourshing the
patent with digesttble and nutritious articles OF
ioodA sueA ~ milk animal bsotns aad iartnaes0ua