Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-11
UTpTUERT4.

At a recent meeting of the Board of Health
of New York, the Sanitary Committee made
a report upon Diptheria. This is conta-
gious disease which is scourging great num-
Der of the communities OF the United States.
In New York, where its increase is believed
to be stayed, the number of registered cases
of diptheria for the week ending Nov. 2Sth,
was l48, against of typhus fever, II of ty-
phoid fever, AZ of scarlet fever, of measles,
20 of small pox and of cerebro spinal menin-
gifts. The committee say:
Diptheria is caused by the incubation of
the air passages with the diptheritic poison,
which from this point nfects the whole sys-
tenn. The local Inflammation is attended with
the formation OF membrane (exudaton).
The fever and general symptoms are the re-
suit of this local infection. Diptheria is
therefore a contagious disease (not, perhaps,
as markedly so as scarlet fever,) induced by
contact with objects and persons infected. 1t
may be dihused by the exhalations of the sick
and the air surrounding them, or direct
ly by the emulation, as in the act of kissing,
coughing, splitting, sneezing, or by the infect
ed articles used, as towels, napkins, handker-
chiefs, etc. The poison clings with great
tenacty to certain places, rooms, and houses,
where it may occasion cases after a lapse of
months. In ordinary attacks the poison be-
gins to act the moment it lodges upon the It's
sues, but, like vaccination, causes slight
sensible effects for from two to five days.
Then there is marked prostration, dryness of
the throat, and prcking pain in swallowing.
The throat becomes red and patches of white
exudation appear. The glands of the neck
swell In mild cases these symptoms sub
siJ : no Iav aft fbair
pearance. If more severe, these symptoms
| may be prolonged and the fever increase, the
local Inflammation spreads, and emulation
rapidly follows. Diptheria attacks by pref
erence children between the ages of one and
ten years, the greatest mortality being in the
second, third and fourth years children of
| feeble constitutions, aud those weakened by
previous sickness, and those suffering from
catarrh, Group, and other forms of throat al
| fections. All classes are liable to attacks of
| diphtheria where it is prevailing, but those
suffer most severely who live upon low, wet,
| ground, in houses with imperfect drainage or
surrounded by offensive matter, in damp
| rooms and cellars, in overcrOwded and lily
ventilated apartments. Diphtheria is not af-
| fected by either snow or RAIN cold or heat or
| drouth.
The precautions suggested are cleanliness
| in and around the dwelling, and pure air in
living and sleeping rooms are of the utmost
importance wherever any contagious disease
is prevailing, as cleanliness tends both to pre-
vent and mitigate it. Every kind and source
of filth around and in the house should be
| thoroughly removed. Cellars and foul areas
should be cieansed and dsinfected, drains
should be thoroughly removed. Cellars and
| foul areas should be cleansed and dsinfected,
drains should be put in perfect order, dirty
walls and ceilings should be lmewashed, and
every occupied room should be thoroughly
ventilated. Apartments which have been
occupied by persons sick with diptheria
should be cleansed with disinfectants
ceilings lime-washed, and woodwork
! painted; the carpets, bed clothing, uphols-