Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-03-22
DIPHTHERIA.
SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

H.f" --.- iNIT'
The following information, from {
no less authoritative source than thu
Report OF the Sanitary Committee o
New York, and which embodics dcdnc
tions from the Investigations OF th'
latest and most competent medica
authorities, ought to be generally dif
fused
MoDE OF ATTACK. Dipthcria is caus
ed by the inoculation Of the air-pas
sagcs with the diptbcritic poison, whicl
from this point infects the whole sys
TEN; the local inflammation is attcnde,
with the formation Of membrane lex
udation) f; tho fever and general symp
toms arc tho result Of the local infec
tion.
How IT SPREADS .-Diphthcria is there
fore contagious disease mot, perhaps
as marked as scarlet iever) induced b,
contact with objects and persons In
fccted may be diffased by the OK
halations Of the sick and the air sur
rounding them or directly by tn,
exudation, as in the act Of kissing
coughing, splitting sneezing; or by
the infected articles used, rs towels
napkins, hankcrchicfs, etc. Thcpoisor
clings with great tenacity, to certain
places, rooms, houses, where II may
occasion cases after the lapse OF months
SraproNs.-ln ordinary attacks tn,
poison begins to act the moment j
lodges upon the tissues, but like I
vaccination, NJ first causes but Sigh
sensible effects. In from two to fv,
days thorc is marked prostiption, dry
ness of throat, and pricking pain il
swallowing; the throat becomes, red
and patches Of white cxudation appear
and the glands OF the neck swell. Il
mild cases, these symptoms subsidc OF
the third or fourth day from the ap
pcarance; If more severe, these symp
toms may be prolonged; if uniayora
bic, the fever increases, the local in
flanmation spreads, and exhaustion
rapidly follows.
PREDisposlso CONDITIONS.
l'nr PERsoS.-Diphtheria attacks
by preference children between tn,
ages of one and ten years, the greatest
mortality being in the second, tLirt
and fourth years; childron. of fecbl,
constitution, and, those weakened b,
previous sickness, and those suffering
from calarrh, Group, and other forms
OF throat affections ~
SOCIAL RELATIoSs.--All classes ar,
liable TO diphthcria where ii is prevail
ing, but those suffer most severely who
live on low, wet grounds in houses
with imperfect drains, or surrounded
by offensive matters, as prlvics, decay
ing animal or vegetable refuse; il
damp rooms, as cellars in overcrowdec
and unventilatcd apartments.
sEAsoss.-Diphtheria is not aficctc,
By either heat or cold, drought or rain
PRECAUTIONS.
TnE DWELLING on ApAgrMEST.-
Cleanliness in and around the dwelling
and pure air in living and sleeping
rooms, are Of the utmost importance
wherever any contagious disease i
prevailing, as cleanliness, tends botl
TO prevent and mitigate it. Every
kind and source of filth around aud il
the house should be thoroughly re
moved cellars and foul areas cleanct
and disiniectcd drains should be pu
in perfect repair; dirty walls and cell
ings should be lime washed, and every
occupied room should be thoroughly
ventilated. Apartments which have
been occupied by persons sick witt
diphthcria should be cleansed will
disinfectants, ceilings lime.washcd, ant
woodwork painted, the carpets, bed
clothes, upholstered furniture, etc, cx
posed many days to fresh air and tn,
sunlight (all articles which may b
boiled or subjected TO high degrees o
heat should be thus disinfcctcd). Sucl
rooms should be exposed TO current,
of fresh air for at least one week be
fore ro-occupation.
WELL CHILDREN. When diphthcri,
is prevailing, no child should be allowed
to kiss strange children nor those suf
fering from sore throat (thc disgusting
custom OF compelling children to kis'
every visitor is wcllcontrivcd mcthot
of propagating other grave diseases
than diphthcria), nor should it slceT
with, or be confined TO rooms occupied
by, or use articles, as toys taken il
the mouth, handkerchief, etc, belong
ing to children having sore throats
Group, or catarrh. If the weather Is
cold, the child should bo warmly clad
with Aannels.
WnES DIpHrurpIA IS IN THE HOUSE,
OR IN rHE FAuuy.-The well children
should be kept scrupulonsly apart from
the sick, in 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 rigidly guarded. Every attack Of
sore throat, Group, or catarrh should
bc Mt once attended TO. The feeble
should have invigorating food and
treatment,
SICK CHiLpRrY.--Tho sick should
be iigidly isolated IN wcllaircd (thc
mir being entirely changed at least