New-York tribune., 1874-12-12
n MYSTERIOUS SCOURGE.
POPULAR AND OFFICIAL IGNORANCE RESPECTING
DIPHTHERIA-A DEMAND THAT OFFICIAL ACTION

TUBULAR AND OFFICIAL IGNORANCE RESPECTING
DIPHrHERIA-A DEMAND THAT OFFICIAL ACTION
BE TAKEN.
10 he Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The existence of diphtheria among us In a
virulent and endemic form being now recognized
fact it is desirable to know what is to be done to
meet ii, and how those who are suffering or who are
peculiarly liable to suffer from its ravages may
obtain the most thorough and efficient medical
treatment. the Board Of Health has done good
service in publishing set OF general rules on the
matter. bnt the public has been thoroughly alarmed
by the Increase of mortality from this cause, which
extends to adults as well as children, and would
gladly learn that some concerted action had been
taken between the Board of Health, the medical
profession. the managers and superintendents of
hospitals. and the Commissioners Of Charities and
Correction
lt is desirable to understand certain facts in
nection with this disease. 1t does not conine itself
to any particular locality district; what called
dlphtherlc sore throats in every part of
this city, in Fifth-ave. in Harlem and the North
or East Rivers; it attacks adults. although with
less malignty than young children; it possesses
certain characteristics which show that it has a
close relation to diseases which poison the blood
like typhus and such fevers; it is believed to be
highly contagious at certain STAGE the secretions
dangerous it is sudden in its attacks, uncertain in
its effects frequently running in a form after
the first visitation; there is certain uniform
method Of curative treatment, and it may perhaps
disappear as mysteriousy it came into existence
as a recognized malady.
What, under the circumstances are the steps
taken by those to whom the public naturally looks
for human help in time of such anxiety and per-
pexityf Perhaps some Of your readers may be able
to give information this point; but SD far as
have been able TO learn from personal inquiry and
from consulting tho medical and public prints, 1T
does not appear that any action has yet been taken.
None of the hospitals admit sucn cases. No pro-
vision has been made for this emergency by the Gre
alton of special wards or by building small paviliOns
to receive diphtheric patients The rules of the in
sttutions prohibit the admission of all contagious
and infectious cases, and although there is old
maxim that inter drma silent lges the executive Of
ficers do not feel that they are called upon to
sumo any responsibility in this direction. They
may be right but then the public must have re-
course to the public institutions, and what has
been done there.
The Commissioners Of Charities have not as yet
taken any overt step in this matter. Bellevue Hos
pital is closed to such cases special provision has
been extempOrzed 10 meet the emergency, and it
mains for you, Sir representing hundreds Of
mourning or anxioais families in this city, to force
on the State-appointed authorities. who. as their
name implies should be foremost in supplementing
any deficiency in the Department of Charities or
Health the necessity Of Immediately organizing some
plan of relief. The advantages of good medical su-
perntendence and treatment. of careful nursing. of
generous diet. would doubtless be felt directly by
the sufferers. The progress of the disease in tene-
ment houses and small dwellings would be arrested
by isolation and disnfectants freely distributed,
while the medical profession would obtain more
complete knowledge and diagnosis of the disease it
self, its causes its various effects aud remedies. 30
thai another visitation of this terrible disease would
not find us unprepared nor cause us unnecessary
alarm or disquetude. Yours, very faithfully,
Nelc- York, Dec s, 1874. ASUFFERER.