Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-11-25
Ytlistellaueuns &eadiug.
From the Atlanta Medical Journal.
TREATMENT OF DIPHTHERIA.
BY L. ALEXANDER, N. D.


To begin with the preventive treatment, |
think very little can be done beyond keeping
the health, as near as possible, at normal
standard, guarding, during the prevalence of
the disease, against unnecessary exposure to
dampness or other atmospheric changes, and
keeping, as far as possible, separated from the
one already infected, particularly should that
one be connected by the ties of blood, which
no doubt, as in many other diseases, renders
one more susceptible to the influence of the
poison.
Unless there is something to counter-indi-
cate its use, invariably commence my treat
ment with hydg, chlo., NIT, combined with
ipecac and bicarb. soda, suting the dose to the
age, and repeating every three or four hours.
For the use of soda, | am indebted to the
american Journal of Medical Science. The
modes of action will not attempt to explain,
but its virtue, experience has proved beyond
doubt This generally continue for at least
twenty.four hours, to be followed, if necessary,
by dose of castor oil, containing few drops
Of spirits of turpentine AS soon as practica-
BILE, commence with a saturated solution OF
sulph. quinia and murated tinct. iron, for here
rests the "anchor of hope" as it is all-impor.
tant to support the system, and build up the
red corpuscles of the blood, while the process
of eliminating the poison is going on. Or this
solution 1 give every two or three hours, IN
e@assAtahcss cdasaug thhTroaasghout ths ds
ease, and in reduced doses for some time
afterwards.
Commencing with the mercury on first ap.
pearance of deposit upon the mucous mem
brane of the throat, apply frequently, say
from four to six times day, with camel's
hair pencil, solution of carbolic acid, tine
ture of iodine, and glycerine, varying the
strength to suit each case.
In lieu of the above, | have used recently,
upon several cases, with marked satisfaction,
the carbolate of iodine. 1t certainly exer.
cises a most beneficial influence upon the
diseased membrane, and as it is colorless
preparation, the Objectionable stain of the
iodine is avoided. In conjunction with the
local applications, I direct the throat to be
we'll gargled every hour, with solution of
chlorate potash, acidulated with carbolic acid,
or acid pyrolg, also using this preparation
with an atomizer and the mop, no matter
what may be the age of the patient, as older
persons frequently fail in gargling the throat
properly, besides the mop removes loose por.
tions of false membrane, and better exposes
the diseased surface to the action of the agents.
Using the gargle also internally at the same
time.
In regard to local external applications, l
have but little confidence in them. The wor-
ry and trouble they give the patient does away
with what little efficacy they might possess,
and I think it only necessary to protect the
neck with piece Of flannel in order to regu-
late the temperature of the parts.
There is generally but little desire for food,
but this point should be we'll carried by the
physician, and the patient made to take a
sufficient quantity each day, and that selected
with an eye to its digestitibility.
Of course all cases cannot be treated exactly
alike Some may require continuation of
the mercury almost throughout the disease,
with other variations, which precludes the
possibility of restricting all cases to the same
routine of medication.
1t is important to have moist atmosphere
pervade the apartment, and disnfectants free.
y used. For this purpose the walls and floor
should be sprinkled with solution of carbolic
acid, or SOL bromide calcium, at least twice q
day.
I think the mistake generally made in the
treatment Of this scourge OF tie nursery, Is IN
the too indiscriminate use of the caustic, which
adds, by additional irration, to the congestion
already existing, and in not paying sufficient
attention to the use of disinfectants. Some
times, too, those that desire food are either
deprived of it, or placed upon an insufficient
amount, when it is allimportant that the sys-
tenn should be sustained under the wear and
tear of the disease; and am prone to believe
that too much reliance is placed upon mex.
perienced persons in administering remedies,
when no disease requires so much the constant
attention and observant eye of the physician.
REMEDY FOR DIPHTHERIA. view of
the prevalence of this disease in our midst, we
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