Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-02-02
Diptheria.
Ipridgewater Journal.l

Onr iflenu, Esquire j. IL. ohepp' VI
Roadside, has our deepest sympathles.
We understand that out Of a family OF
seven children, four of them have re-
Gently fallen victims to and have died
Of the dreadful scourge OF diphIheris;
and lhat cther members Of thefamily are
also affected with the same frightiul
disease.
In this connection, and for the bene'
ct of our readers aud afflicted families
we subjoin the following communica-
lion from Commissioner DR.. James
Crane, Of the Brooklyn, New York.
Health Department. Both diphleria
lnd scarlet fever are DOw prevailing to
an alarming extent IN Brooklyn. Hear
" hat DR.. Crane has to say:
"Diphlheria and scarlet fever are
highly contagious diseases, attacking
per-Ons of all ages. They may be con-
racted from persons that are already
Effected from the clothes they haye
worn and from everything which has
been in the room with them. Even
The walls of The room may infect per
IONS coming INTO 1t after the patient has
recovered, unless the poison is destroy
ed. In order 10 prevent their spread in
family or house where they exist and
TO promote the recovery Of the persons
attacked The following simple measure
should be cOnscientiously and rigidll
carried out, thereby preventing much
suffering and saving human life: An
apper, sunny room. provided if possible
With an open fireplace, and with no
other children on the same floor should
be arranged for The patient by remoy
inq everything from it which can pos
s!bly be spared, such as books, clothing
and window curtains, remembering that
when once the patient has entered the
room nothing can with safety be re-
moved until dsinfrcled or fumigated.-
One or two adults should take entire
charse' of the patient, under no elrcum-
stances comiuc in contact with other
persons, more especially children. open
windows and open freplaces, with fire
in them day and night, avoiding
traushs and Chilly air, protect the sich
and those wLo nurse them. Nothing
should be- lemovld from the room when
the patient has once entered il uutil it
has been thoroughly dislniected or
fumiga,ed.
Procure from a drug store one
round o. sulphate of zinc, the price
should not exceed thirty cents. Put
ln.oan ordinary water pail eight tat'e"
spoon us OF sulphale Of zinc aud toir
Of common salt. aud TO this add one
gallon os boiling wafer. This disln-
lccuus solution is to be kept in the
room, and into it should be placed and
sept for one hour every article OF soilcd
clothing, bedding. handkerchiefS, &c.
When they are removed from this they
should be pnt into boiling water before
b,;ng washed. The dishes and spoons
used by the patient Should be put into
boiling wafer before they are permitted
to leave the room. Remember that
every article which Is IN the room can
convey the disease and that nothing
ould 90 from it until the poison which
il tmisht carry Is DESTROYED.
see that the Whole house from
cellar to attic is clean. Keep the cellar
dry. well ventilated aud well white
washed aud never allow, even for a
DAY. garbage or olhcr ilth TO be kept IN
r. Open the windows Of sleeping
rooms every day for as long a uine as
possible, fresh air being an excellent
disint, Giant. BE sure that there are
no detective traps in the dram pipes Of
.he house, through which the gases
from decomposing filth can enter TO
poluie the air you breathe. When thu
chudr,n n complain Of sore throat send
for competent physician; few hours
u lay may cost heir lives. If H.
disease is pronounced contagious, r
that it's repor;e ed 10 tie Department q.
Health, ald keep the other childseh
from school until permit is procured
for their return. The measures here
recommended are to be used in all con-
tasious diseases, whether dipihcria,
scarlet fever or measles.