Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-11-05

| caused by the luOcuIatlou VI 'uo OH
passages with the diphtheritic poison,
which from this point infects the
whole system; the local Inflammation
is attended with the formation of mem
brane (exudation;) the fever and gen.
erai symptoms are the result of this
local infection.
Hoe0 it ,Spreads.-Diphtheria is
therefore a contagious disease (nos
perhaps as marked as scarlet lever,
induced by contact with objects ana
persons infected 1t may be dlfused
bv the exhaIations of this sick and the
air surrounding them; or dlfec ~ by
the oxidation, as in the act OF kissing,
coughing, splitting, sneezing; or by the
infected articles used, as towels, nap
kins, handkerchiefs. etc. The poison
ciings with great tenacity to certain
places, rooms, houses, where 1t may
occasion cases after the lapse OF
months.
,ey7s12t0nas.-In ordinary attacks the
poison beg ms to act the moment II
lodges upon the tissues; but, like
vaccination, at first causes but silght
sensible effects. In from two to i've
DAYS there IS marked prostrat1on, dry
ness Of throat, ard prlcklng pain IN
swallowing; the throat becomes fed,
and patches of white exudation appear,
and The glands of the neck swell. In
mild cases, these symptoms snbside
on the third or fourth day from the
appearance; if more severe, these
sym ptoms may be prolonged; II IN
favorable, the fever increases. the
local inflammation spreads, and ex-
haustion rapidly follows.
PREDIsPoSING CONDITIONS.
The Person. -Diphtheria attacks by
preference childr- n between the ages
of ore and ten years, the greatest NOR
tality being in the second, third, and
fourth wears; children OF feeble con-
stitution, and those weakened by pre-
vious sickness, and those suffering
from catarrh, Group, and other forms
of throat affections.
Social Rel0ti0ns.-AU classes are
| liable to diphtheria where it is pre-
yaiIinc. but those suffer most severely
who live on low, wet grounds; In
| houses with imperfect drains, or sur
rounded by offensive matters, as
/ privies, decaying animal or vegetable
refuse; in damp rooms, as cellars; IN
| oyercrOWded and unventllated apart
ments,
| Seasons. -Diphtheria is not atfec-
| fetlaby either heat or cold, drought or
| raia.-r
Precautions-THe D1ceUing or
| 471artUae7at. -Cleanliness in and around
the dwelling, and pure air IN living
| and sleeping rooms, are of the utmost
| impc rtance wherever any contagious
disease is prevailing, as cleanliness
tends both to prevent and mitigate 1t.
Every kind and source of filth around
and in the house should be thoroughly
removed: cellars and foul areas should
be cleaned aud disinfected; draius
should be put iii perfect repair; dirty
walls aud ceilings should be lime
washed, and every occupied room
slould be thoroughly ventilated
Apartments which have been occupied
bY persons sick with diphtheria should
be- cleansed with disinfectants. cell
Jugs lime-waahed, and woodwork
painted. toe carpets. bed-clothes, up
nolstere3 furniture, etc, exposed
many days TO fresh ar and the sun
light (all articles which may be boiled
or subjected to high degrees of heat
&uOUi0 De tuIS QiSIHl6CLcb. ho'tCii
rooms should be exposed to currents
of fresh air for at least one week be
fore reoccupatlOn.
Wen (Hajdrc3a-When diphtberia is
prevailing, 10 child should be allowed
70 kiss 7Fr2Dge children nor those SUI
frrirg from sore throat (the DISCUS
ting custom Of compelling children to
kiss every visitor IS q we'll contrived
method Of propagating other grave
disc asses than diPhtheria), nor should
It sleep with, Or be confined to rooms
occupied by, or use articles, as toys
taken in the mouth, handkerchiefs,
etc, belonging to children having
sore throat, Group, or catarrh. Il
the weather IS cold, the child should
be warmly clad with fannels.
When diptherja IS IN the House o.
| IN the FGnaiLy-The well children
should be scrupuousiy kept part from
the sick III dry, we'll aired rooms, and
every possible source Of infection
through the air, by personal contact
with the sick and by articles used
| about them or in their rooms, should
be rigidIy guarded. Every attact OF
| sore throat, Group, and catarrh shoulC
| be at once attended to. The feeble
| should have 1nvigorating food and
treatment.
| Sick Children-The sick should be
rigidly isolated in well-aired (the all
being entirely changed a. least hourly)
unhghted room, the outflow of all
being as far as possible through the
external windows by depressing the
upper and elevating the lower sash, OF
a chimney heated by replace. All
| discharges from the mouth and nose
| should be received into vessels con.
tanning disinfectants, or upon disin.
fecting fluid.
While scarlatina, smallpox, and
enteric fever are scourging numerous
cities in England, diphtheria is now
| prevailing in about half the cities with
which this bureau holds correspon-
| denoe in the United States, and it is
more fatal III numerous interior towns
aud cities than it is in this city. where
it's increase seems to be stayed. N.
oth~r infectious Malady more impor-
atiyely demands the best resources of
medical and sanitary knowledge to
limit It's prevalence and save life. Sap
itary precautions have supreme impor-
lance IN that disease. Fl ON q Report
Of tie Sanitary COnanaittee of the Board
If Iicaith Of Ncto York city.