The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-08-12
manitoruoe pilot.
THURSDAY, AUGUST u, 1880.
DIPHTHERIA.

the State Board of Health urges upon the
citizens of Wisconsin the exercise of such
precautions as the experience of the most
careful and competent observers has pro-
ven to be effectual in its restriction and
prevention, and to this end calls attention
to the following facts and suggestions:
IT'S RELATION TO FILTH AS CAUSE.
Experience has abundantly shown, that
Diphtheria occurs most frequently, and
in its most fatal forms, in localities which
are filthy. 1t has so often appeared and
assumed malignant character in such
localities, while adjacent premises, OF
which the sanitary conditions were good,
have either escaped the disease entirely,
or its course has been much less severe,
that it has been rightly characterized as
pre-eminently filth disease.
1t is well always to bear in mind that
the effects of filth are to lower the vital
ity of the system, to make it less able to
Withstand the attacks of disease of any
kind, and to fit it for the development of
the graver forms of any prevailing cpl
demic.
By filth we mean not necessarily such
as exists in visible and disgusting forms.
1t may be present in the invisible and
possibly inodorous gases from an lily
constructed sewer, from decaying vege-
tables in the cellar, or in poisonous ex-
halations from thehuman breath or body,
in unventilated rooms. From any of
these poison may be inhaled with every
breath; or the teachings of slop water
thrown upon the ground, of a garbage
heap, cess-pool or privy vault, wheth-
er on your own or on your neighbor's
premises, may penetrate through many
feet of soil and pollute the water supply,
which to casual observation seems pure.
ITS CONTAGIOUS AND INFECTIOUS
CHARACTER.
Whatever may be its origin, Diphthe-
ria is unquestionably both contagious
and infectious, and may be communicat-
ed from one sick with the disease to an
other by the breath, through the air which
surrounds him, or by the secretions or
discharges from his person.
1t may also, but with less certainty, be
carried from one place to another and
communicated by means of clothing, food
and other articles which have been con-
taminated in the sick-room.
As rule, the danger of exposure to
tue disease IS in proportion to the malig-
nancy of the case; but to this there are
many exceptions, and exposure to the
mildest case may be followed by the sew
crest form Of the disorder. Children are
much more susceptible to the disease than
are adults, and may contract it in its
worst type from the kiss of one who has
an apparently trivial ''sore throat" not
deemed sufficiently severe to render any
precautions necessary,
The time that elapses between expos
ure to and the subsequent development
Of Diphtheria in the person exposed,
bears some relation to the malignancy of
the disease and its prevalence as an cpl
demic at the time. Usually it appears
within the first week, but in exceptional
cases its appearance may be delayed to a
much later period.
SPECIAL MANAGEMENT OF CASES.
1t is of the first Importance that an out
break OF the disease should be the signal
for the immediate observance of those
precautions which are known to be most
efectual IN the restriction of any contag-
ious disease, and il this respect the treat
| ment should be as vigorous as in case
OF smallpox or scarlet fever, the one rule
of most imperative necessity being the
isolation of the patient.
Immediately upon the appearance of
the disease, the patient should be remov-
ed to room as remote as possible from
family occupancy. This room should be
prepared for his reception by removing
from it all superfuous furniture, especi-
ally such as woolen carpets, extra cloth
ms, books, and all window curtains, table
spreads and other similar articles which
cannot be subsequently cleansed by boil
ing.
The room should be large and sunny,
and 1t is better if it be in the upper part
| OF the house. Particular care should be
taken to have it ventilated as thoroughly
as possible, in order to dilute the poison
ed atmosphere to the utmost extent, while
the patient is protected from any direct
draughts. This thorough ventilation will
be facilitated, and the care of the patient
rendered easier, if it be practicable to
place the bed so as to make it accessible
from all sides.
No one should be admitted to the sick
room except the necessary attendants,
whose garments should be made of such
material rs will admit of being cleansed
by boiling.
No food which has been in the sick
room should be partaken of by the we'll;
even the dishes which have contained
such food should be cleansed by them
selves.
Under no circumstances should the pa
TENTS soiled bed or body linen be mixed
with other soiled clothing, or be admit
ed to the general wash; it should be at
once cleansed by boiling water.
For lie cleansing of the mouth and
nose from the discharges, which are some
times copious and always dangerous, bits
of linen or cotton cloth, or pieces of soft
paper should be used and immediately
burned.
Discharges from the bowels and blad-