River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-12-21
Prevention and Restriction Of Diphtheria.

Communicated by NJ. L. Robey, of Esdaile)
Owing to the fact that diphtheria
has been raging to such an alarming
xtent not only in this and adjoining
counties but throughout the entire
United States, many eminent physi-
clans have of late been making scien-
ifs investigation into the cause and
nature of the disease. For the same
reason and from a desire to make
known to the public anything of a
scientific nature bearing upon the sub
ject. copy the following proceedings
of the Philadelphia Board of Health,
on the above named subject, from the
Medical News of Dec. I'd, and
through the kindness of the JOURNAL
will submit it to the readers thereof:
Recent investigations having prov
I'd that the poison of diphtheria is
portable, communicable by infection.
and capable of reproducing itself out
side of the human body, diphtheria
must now be ranked as both conta-
gious and infectious disease. The fol-
lowing rules are therefore more i'm
perative than ever before:
First. When a child or young
person has sore throat, bad odor
to its breath, and especially if it has
fever, it should Immediately be sepa-
rated and kept secluded from all 9TH
er persons except necessary attend
ants until it be ascertained whether
or not it has diphtheria or some other
communicable disease.
Second. Every person known to be
sick with diphtheria should be prompt
ly and efectualty isolated from the
public. Only those persons who are
actually necessary should have charge
of or visit the patient, and these visit
| ors should be restricted in their inter-
course with other individuals. Chill
llren residing in a house where there
is case of diphtheria should not be
permitted to attend school.
Third. When case of diphtheria
is fully developed the same precau.
lions in regard to free ventilation, dis
posal and disinfection of discharges,
bed or body linen, and so forth, isola-
ton during convalescence Tor manage
ment of the corpse should death I'M
fortunately occur, ETC., ought to be
enforced which have already been
recommended in regard to smallpox.
Fourth. 1t is particularly impor-
tant that persons whose Threats are
| tender or sore from any cause should
avoid possible exposure to the conta
gion of diphtheria. Children under
ten years of age are in much greater
danger of taking the disease, and af-
Ter they do take it, of dying of it, than
are grown persons. But adults are
not exempt, and mild cases in them
may cause whole series of fatal at
tacks among children.
Fifth. Numerous instances are re-
corded where the contagion of diph
iberia has retained its virulence for
weeks or months, in cess pools of de-
caying vegetable matter, damp walls,
etc. and been carried for long dis
tances in clothing, in sewers. in waste
pipes from stationary wash-stands,
and other conduits. Hence all sewer
connections and other carriers of filth
should be well ventilated and disin-
fected, and children particularly
should not be allowed to breathe the
air of any water closet, cesspool. or
sewer, into which discharges from
patients sick with diphtheria have en-
| tered, nor to drink water or milk
which has been exposed to such air.
Sixth. Beware of any person who
has sore throat; do not kiss such a
person or take his or her breath; do
not drinl: from the same cup, blow
the same whistle, nor put his pencil or
pen into your mouth.
Seventh. Do not wear nor handle
clothing which has been worn by a
person during sickness or GONZALES
cence from diphtheria.