The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-12-14
CHE 9~Rtaafgemen
HLLPFUL HINIs ON H1GIEaE.
Directions for Defense AEaiuSt that
Dread Destroyer DiphtheriA.
No. 1917 MAHKEr srRKEr.
WHEELING, December II.

Va kAV PAynLSAhug oGaAAAHb
10 the position Of custodian Of the
public health, to warn the people ofdanger
and to aid them to escape sickness, from
time to time by practical suggestions,
through the best medium Of communica.
ton, the press, I send you for the benefit
Of your readers, the following
PRACTICAL HINTS on DEPHTHERIA.
Various causes have been assigned for
diphsheris, even the use Of cheap soaps,
these being frequently made OF fat taken
from beasts which have died Of ~putrescent
maladiss. The fat is generally in a putrid
condition and while the perfumes used
may overcome the unpleasant odor they
do not antidote the poisons that penetrate
the pores Of the skin OF those who use it.
It may not be universally known that the
material for soap Is taken from fat render
ing establishments where the carcasses Of
dead animals are boiled down, nor do the
worknen enquire or care Of what disease
the animals die or in what condition they
are. The disease, however, i%mpregnates the
fat and Is possible TO be absorbed by the
person using the soap. Pure CASTLE soap
Ia the safest 10 use.
The most fruitful cause Of diphtheris,
however, Is the noxious gas arising from
the decomposition Of vegetable matter. In
view otthef fact that diphtheria is becom.
ing prevalent here, as 1t is epidemic in
Brooklyn, and the mortality great, 1t be.
hooyes every family to look to the cleans
ing OF their cellars and surroundings; in
sist on removal Of old, decaying potatoes
or potato peelings, apples, cabbage leaves
and everything OF q vegetable nature.
Wherever isolated cases Of diphtheria
have occurred the cause could be traced
10 some accumulation on the premises OF
decomposing vegetable matter or detective
waste.pipes, and formation OF cess-pool,
or closet vaults; as all epidemics are su-
perinduced primarily by neglect Of proper
sanitary regulations. Housewives should
exercise constant vigilance in this direc-
tion II they would not ieopardize the lives
Of their children. When 0 child becomes
Il! the physician should be summoned at
once; but many times In diphtheria this
Is delayed until the fatal false membrane
has already formed, and then in many
instances 1t Is too late. On the suburbs
or in the rural districts, often the resi-.
dence OF the physician Is remote from that
OF the invalid, and then 1t Ia that prompt
and intelligent management may save life
Diphther,a Is derived irons Greek void
siguiIyIug q SKIN or membrane. The dis
ease u contagious and epidemic, and is
characterized by emulation OF false MEM
branes on the tOnsils and adjacent struct.
ures, and Is attended with great prostra-
tion. It Is q specific blood disease, and
children are more obnoxious TO 1t than
adults. Those who recover are often lett
with an altered voice, partial paralysis OF
the muscles OF the throat, impaired vision
and frequently nervous affection and
weakness Of the arms. The disease is
ushered in by lassttude. The child comes
in from school OF play complaining OF feel
ing fatigued and chilly, alter o while Ia
thirsty, and the respifa ton Is quick, and
the lips dry add very red; eyes dull, and
the child complsins Of s stiff, tired feeling
in the back olthe neck, abdlhe head feels
heavy. II the lower lids OF the eyes are
drawn down exposing the internal sur
faces, they will be. found red and congest-
ed. II the parent hastnot been previously
warned these Manifestations will escape
observation, but II the throat ~ nov ex.
amined q bright red line viii be dsscried
around the margin ofthe back part Of the
arch OF the throat and the -tonsils will be
enlarged. Now carefully smell the breath
of the child, and q peculiar musty,
dead order wfiLhe perceived. SSopeculiAr
is this odor that whea ogce experienced
it Ia rarely, II ever, forgotten or mistaken,
aud 1t Is always Characteristic OF the
disease and noticeable even before the
child complains Of sore throat Now is
the time Tor prompt measures to disorgan.
lie the membrane which is beginning to
form. The first thing to be done is to open
the bowels freely with q mild laxative.
As the child may have had Q slight
disrrhea for q day or two previous to the
above symptoms, which Is often the case,
the parent may think the purgative unnec-
essary, but 1t "a NOT. The dlarrhea Is an
effort's nature to rid itself OF soEe Of the
yiGated matter that Is helping to poison
the blood, epd you must assist nature in
this effort, othefgiSe irritation and In.
hammation will be the result. Give no
msrcury, no blue mass or calomei, aag
-asia or citrate Of magnesia is best, or even
castor oil. Then tass black pepper and
black molasses and mix % tlaeouslstencv
OF paste, spread it on flannel and apply z
the throat aud neck externally and well
up behind the ears IS hot % pap Ee borne.
Put a teaspoonful OF -four OF sulphur In a
winegiass Of water, STIR until thoroughly
saturated aud gargle the throat every 20
minutes.
II the patient cannot gargle then blow a
little OF the dry sulphur down the throat
through q quill, or sprinkle two or three
spoonfuls orsulphur on,a shovelor plste.ot
live Goals and let the patient inhale the
flames. Thidgill:disorgsnize the false mem 7
brance. Give i've drops Of sweet spirits
Of nitre in a tablespoonful Of syeetened
water every half hour for two hours for q
child from four to seven years old and ten
drops In same quantity for achild older
thai, seven years, or the following re-
cipe give one teaspoontulevery two hours
for three or four days or q week; Chlorate
OF potash, two drachms; murtaip tincture
OF iron, four Huid drachmsi white sugar.
half ounce; essence ot. anise,t two fluid
drachms; pure water suticisnt 70 make q
mixture OF four fluid ounces mix TO.
Yether. Let the diet be generous, con-
sisting OF beeftea, soft boiled eggs, chicken
broth, tapioca, corn starch a~ndyegetables.
Tie surface OF the body should be kept
thoroughly clean by spongiug With warm
salt water and vigorous friction With dry
towels.
have avoided all technicallties in this
article that the general reader may fully
comprehend me.
Yours truly.
JOHN E. Smith, N. D.