The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-12-28
DIPHTHERIA.
A Cure for the Dreaded Disease.

From the Scientific Americana
DIR. f. N. Chapman, OF Brooklyn, N.
Y, has discovered an antidote to the
poison of diphtheria, by which the per-
centage of deaths is reduced to less than
one in fifty. Statistics show that the
percentage OF recoveries in cases treated
under the usual practice is thirteen, or
eighty-seven out Of 100 sufferers sue
cumb to the fell disease.
Diphtheria first appeared in this coun-
try in 1853. DIR. Chapman, in 1859, lost
several cases, and became distrustful OF
the regular methods. He had been
using alcohol in the cure of ship-fever,
and he determined, though contrary to
all rules, to try it in diphtheria. TO his
surprise, several of his patients reoov-
cred. He then tried quinia, and found
it acted we'll, but not so quickly. At last
be settled ON combination Of the two,
alcohol and quinia, and with these rem
edies he claims that dipbtheria is more
amenable to treatment than many COM
mon diseases. In an epidemic, such as
diphtheria, all are affected by the NOR
bite agent, but a few only yield to 1t.
Mature, vigorous persons have vitality
enough to resist the disease. Children
and weakly adults are its usual subjects.
Dr. Chapman considers that there is,
almost always. superadded "a local and
direct exciting cause, such as detective
exercise, improper diet, dark rooms,
damp houses, imperfect ventilation, and
poisonous carnations from decomposing
filth in privies, cesspools, sewer-plpes,
etc. To such agencies the strongest
constitution will soon succumb. The
blood being deteriorated, its vitality is
lowered; and then the sympathetic
nerves, failing to receive due stimulus,
waver in their efforts to carry on the
animal functions.
"All local treatment" he says, sis
worse than useless. It exhausts the
nerve force, and induces greater iniec-
ton of the blood vessels, thus favoring
the emulation.
"Alcohol neutralizes the diphtheretic
poison, sets free the nerves of animal
| life, subdues the fever and inflammation,
destroys the pabulum that sustains the
membrane, cuts short the disease, con-
quers its sequel@, and shields other
members of the family from an attack
| Upon the subsistence of the fever, as is
| ubuullJ tut Ctssc III lIOlu bWcut y AOuI W
thirty-six hours, purulent secretion
begins to loosen the membrane, and
soon, thereafter, to detach it in flaky
ragged fragments. This process may
take place, and recovery be possible,
even when the larynx and trachea are
implicated. The membrane is seldom
renewed, when this secretion is main
tanned by steady use of the remedy.
Alcohol is as antagonistic to diphtheria
as belladonna to opium, or quinia to
malaria. Like any other antldote, it
must be given promptly at the outset,
or otherwise its potency win be lessened,
perhaps lost altogether.
"Alcohol does NIT act as stimulant,
nor induce any of its ordinary effects.
Enough may be given to cause profound
intoxication in health, and yet there ex-
lists no signG of excitement or odor in the
breath"
Quinia is an efficient alloy to alcohol.
1t energies the ganglionic nervous sys-
TEN, and thus enables the organism to
right itself and resume its function.
DIR. Chapman sustains his position by
citing numerous cases in which this
treatment was successful. He states
that, in his long experience, he only
knew of one case where a drunkard had
diphtheria. He generally gives the al
cohol In the form OF whisky.