The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1878-01-03
atsefml aud Curious.
DEPMTnERlA.
a Very saeee..fsi SIede 81 Treating Is-Is.
Psrtass Statement By DIR. T. m. 9ewest.

- very S0cGessf0l yNodf Of Treating 1t-B0Ds
psrtass Statement BY DIR. r. N. Sewest.
Learning that DIR. L. II. Jewett, one of the
most eminent physicians Of Maine. has latterly
been very successful in the treatment OF diph-
liberia, a disease which has been unusually prev
alent and fatal in the East in the North west,
we asked him for the subjoined statement, which
deserves the notice of paernts as we'll as medical
men, for whose nse it is primarily designed:
To the Editor Of the Cincinnati Gazette:
am requested to give my views as to the
treatment of diphtheria, the treatment l
having been eminently successful with many pa
tients, both in sporadic and epidemic cases, where
in other hands the usual treatment by iron and
chlorate of potash, with stimulants has signally
failed. When adopted early, it seems to abort or
break mp the violence and force of the disease,
or t. stamp it out at once, giving TO the patient
an early recovery without q protracted corvallis
cence, aud the usual sequelse from which many
sufferers, with great difficulty or never entire
~ escape.
This mode of practice is based upon the ideas
of Dr. BENZ. Rheit, of South Caroiina aud those
of DIR. J. s. Benson, of Canada as well as my own
experience aud Investigations. In giving my
statement to the public, trust that it may be
the means OF saving many valuable lives DIph-
liberia is a constitutional well local affec-
tion, blood disease, strongly marked as pecu-
liar catarrhal fever. When seen early advise
the immersion of the feet in warm water. The
patient should then be placed in a warm bed,
and from five to twenty grains of calonel given
according to the aye of the patiently IN tea
spoon as dry powder, so that the medicine may
be well distributed over the fauces and throat:
a little wafer should follow soon after let the
patient swallow from five to twenty grains of
ipecac in water, and when, after fifteen or TWEEN
ty minutes, nausea occurs, give freely of tea of
Thoroughwort or Eupatoriums perfoiatum until
sufficient vomiting has been secured.
This combined action of tire two remedies not
only evacuafes the stomach, but determines to
the skin, promotes abundant perspiratiOns, and
equalizes and balances the system breaking up
the catarrhal condition of the throat and
surfaces, prime element IN the affection !;
it unloads the liver, and gives nature an oppor-
tnnity to right herself and throw off the disor-
der Should the bowels not be well movctl, ad-
minister of powdered jalap from FIVE to twenty
grains n wafer some four hours after the
emetic, or in robust habits it may be given with
or after the emetic. When the einetico-ca-
thartic has spent its force and the desired re-
sults are secured, l advise that the aqua or
iqnor chlorini, as it is sometimes called, should
be administered, undilnted in doses from a tea
spoonful to dessert spoonful once in four hours,
until the patient is better, and then less often.
This chlorini-water destroys the pellicle or
membrane in the throat and instantly neutral
ICES the diphtheretc foetor and poison in the
throat, and follows il down into the mucous
membrane of tho stomach aud bowels, where it
is often as abundant as it is in the throat.
This use of chlorini is infinitely superior to
that generated in the union of tinct of iron and
chlorate of potash and its effects are more I'M
mediate. 1t supersedes all swabbing of the fau
ces in young children, and saves much vexation
in carrying ont the directions of physicians who
advise local applications to the throat, to which
most parents are altogether inadequate or OPP
posed.
This is my treatment Of diphtheria, which has
always proved, in my hands, when used at a
timely period, treatment that will satisfy ev-
cry medical man and parent who adopts it, and
with which no other treatment before the pro-
fessioD, am thoroughly satisfied, can begin to
compare for usefulness and efficiency. l COM
mend it most heartily to the profession and the
public. This treatment renders the use of stimu-
1ants and tonics so freely employed under other
methods, almost unnecessary. l have not ad-
vised them in any case where the above treat
ment has been put in full force, although | al
low they may be proper in some instances of
great prostration. must, however, confess that
tonics, as also stimulants, have too often failed
in my practice hitherto, willis in the treatment
now indicated, l have not had single occasion
for them. Good nutritious diet is of course al
ways called for, and good ventilation.
THEODORE H. JEwETT, n. d.
SOUTH BERWICK, Me-, Feb. 2.