American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-03-06
Sulphur In Diphtheria.

The use of common sulphur as a
remedy for diphtheria has been tried
with success in this city, and this paper
has repeatedly published the fact.
Diphtheria being unusually prevalent
in Rochester, N. Y. just now, DIR. G. L.
Beach, of that city, addresses the fol-
lowing letter to the Union and Adrer-
ttser:
That sulphur is of great value in the
treatment of diphtheria think have
reason to feel convinced; but how far it
is entitled to rank as a specific leave
for the test of extensive experience. A
great deal has been printed in medical
journals about sulphur, sulphurous acid,
etc., etc., as a specific in diphtheria, as
quinine is said to be in malaria. In my
opinion it is not specific. Many med
icines of great virtue in the treatment of
diseases possess no claims as specifics.
do not write for the purpose of en-
tightening the profession, nor for the
purpose of giving to the public a cure
for diphtheria, but simply as perform
ance of duty which think is too much
ignored by physicians. Diphtheria of
malignant type is prevailing extensive
ly at the present time, and it is the duty
of all to give one another the benefit of
experience, with such remedies as are
given out from time to time as useful
in the treatment of this disease, and
more especially as it is prominent
fact that as yet there is no very salts
factory method of cure for malignant
diphtheria,
hope that may be excused for Civ
ing my experience during the past
month with sulphur in the treatment of
diphtheria of an unquestionably malig-
nant type. had treated quite num-
Der of patients, dangerously ill, success
fully; but case occurring in an infant,
where the membrane had extended into
the larynx and produced membranous
Group, with impending asyhyxia, was
induced to make trial of sulphur, and
the child was saved, in my opinion, by
burning sulphur in the room so as to
produce a strong and slightly suffocat-
ing smell, and continuing it so as to
maintain an odor of sulphur constantly
in the room. Further, in certain To-
cality, where have occurred fifteen cases,
ten of which were attended by other
physicians, and seven out of the ten
dying, took charge of five cases, of
which every one got well. In the treat
ment of these five cases l did not omit
any of my usual remedies, but used the
sulphur as an adjunct. I gave small
doses OF II frequently, ana also nad
little burned in the room every two or
three hours, SO as to MAIN
tain smell of sulphur con-
stantly in the room L think
the sulphur aided in saving the lives of
my five patients. Some may claim that
my patients were not so sick as the 9TH
ers. 1 claim that they were, and that
they had all the characteristics of very
malignant diphtheria, one of them being
in family where another child had just
died. In fact, it was said by the friends
of the families, who were constantly Wis
iting back and forth, that the five I at
tended were attacked the most severely.
Certainly the disease was of a malignant
type, or seven out of fifteen would not
have died. - l~
The object of the administration of sui
phur is that it may, by being absorbed
into the blood via the stomach and
lungs, destroy the confervoid growth,
and not only induce removals of exuda-
tons already existing but prevent new
deposits.
hope that others may be induced to
make trials of it judiciously, but not to
the exclusion OF other tried remedies
RyoOEla3l 4TU7lS