The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-01-16
POTATOES AND DlPHTHERIA.
A Novel Theory-Children Who Do Not Ea1
Potatoes Will Not Have Diphtheria.

From the Chicago Inter Ocean.
Some seventeen years ago the atten-
ton of my father, DR.. Alvan Keith, late
of Augusta, Me-, was called to the fact
that children who were not fond of
the tuber known as Irish potatoes were
not subject to attacks of that much
dreaded malady diphtheria. Following
out this hint, he advised families of his
friends to avoid the use of this vegeta-
BILE among the children, and until his
decease he was accustomed to make the
assertion that rotten potatoes produce
the throat disease known as diphtheria.
It may not be inappropriate to remark
that he was considered a very success
full practitioner in the treatment of this
disease.
In 1865 the writer visited San Fran
cisco, and was there engaged in
the practice of medicine until 1867.
During that period of time he had an
opportunity of fully testing the truth
producer, or at least an approximate
cause of the condition known as
diphtheria. In 305 cases in and about
San Francisco, the fact was noted that
every one who had the true diphtheria
was an eater of Irish potatoes. The
writer is well aware of the presump-
tive charge Of novelty, to say the least
of the assertion, and for this reason has
hesitated to place himself IN record. The
condition of many families in the West,
and more especially in this State and
Kansas, urges the undersigned, as mat
ter of interest to the human family, or
because "homo sum, ct nihil humanum
alienum," to make public a series Of OBJ
servations for the past two years in the
West. During this time thirty cases
have come under my direct supervision
and prescriptions. More than 200 have
been carefully inquired after, and in
every case it has been proven that the.
diphtheritic patient had been a potato
eater; and in large majority of in
stances the patient had been known as
an excessive eater of the tuber. A rule
sides. The undersigned made the fore
going statements to very intelligent
lady of this city, now teacher in dis
tant city, and the result has been that
where the diphtheria prevailed fatally
last year they have (by the influence of
this LADY, largely refrained from eating
potatoes, or only eaten them to very
moderate extent, and the disease is al
most unknown. In my practice in this
city and county the offer has been to
treat any one free of compensation, if
they would avoid the use of Irish pota-
toes. AS a sequence not one OF the pa
tients who was not potato eater has
been threatened with the disease. In
many of the inland towns of this State,
the writer has patients, and in some Of
the infected districts, the families Of
those who have learned of this simple
preventive have escaped any attack of
throat disease, although the potato-eaters
on either side of them have unfortunate
ly had cases of diphtheria which result
ed fatally. LAS FL
It would not be in accordance with
the well-known proclivities of medical
men if the writer did not have a theory
to account for these facts, and special
treatment to correspond with the belief
of the constitutional cause. He has. But
the theory, like many others, is only
partially developed Or proven, and
could easily be argued. The facts, en-
bracing period of seventeen years and
knowledge of LOO cases, are, in the
writer's estimation, incontrovertible,
and may be summed up as follows: The
writer maintains that the person who
does not use the tuber known as Irish
potato can never have the disease known
as diphtheria; that in every case of
diphtheria (true) will be found an ha-
bitual eater Of Irish potatoes.
MELVILLE G. KEITH, M. d.
LINCOLN, Neb
s.. II nnrnnro6 ~ Tn.4