Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-21
DIPHTHERIA,
The Danger of Ktsstng-A Common Source
of Infection.
San Francisco Letter.

A reporter, conver5ing with celebrated
physician yesterday on the alarHing con-
dition of the death-rate in San Francisco
and the prevalence of diphtheria, received
some hints on the chief cause of infection,
which, under existing circumstances, are
almost remarkable. The physician in
question is one whose reports on infectious
diseases have gained him an European
reputation, and who has paid special
attention to the subject of diphtheria.
He modestly requested that his name should
not be given to the public if any use was
made of his remarks. He said: 'The i'm
preston that prevails that the neglected
state of our sewers and streets is a prolific
cause of the disease spoken of generally as
zymotie is perfectly correct, but so many
cases Of diphtheria have come under my
notice lately where the patients we're sur
rounded by the most perfect sanitary con-
ditioDs that l found it necessary to look
beyond those causes for the origin of the
infection. A little research showed me that
the prime cause in all those cases was the
same. All the patients were
children Or quite young, girls, and I found
that they had contracted the disease by
kissing some infected schoolmate or play
mate. l will give an instance to illus
trate my remarks, and which will serve at
the same time to illustrate the extreme
danger children are subjected to by kissing
their young companions. A little girl,
daughter of wealthy parents, who almost
worshiped her, for she was their only
child, complained to her attendant a few
mornings ago that she did not feel WELL
| and did not wish to go to school. The nurse,
| well meaning but ignorant person, failed
to see anything serious the matter with
the child, laughed at her complaint, and
not desiring to trouble the mother took
the child to school as usual. The child
grew worse rapidly. The small red diph-
iberia spot in her throat, which any doc
tor would have noticed, had one been called
in, but which carried no significance TO the
nurse, grew and enlarged rapidly. and be-
fore recess covered half of the back por-
ton of the throat. The little oue's teacher
noticed that the child was really sick, and
| sent her home. Before she left the school,
which I may add is an extremely well eou-
Quoted private seminary, the child
said good-by to her desk-mate
and kissed her. The little girl who was
kissed caught tire disease. In the case o.
the first child the disease had spread so far
when medical assistance was called in that
she died, though had doctor been called
in earlier her life would probably have
been saved. The second child was prompt
ly treated and her life was saved.
"Another case that came to my notice
bothered me for some time as to how the
child caught the complaint, but at last
found out that her mother had allowed her
to kiss the lips of little companion who
lay dead in a coffin, victim of diphtheria.
Understand me, I do not intend to convey
the idea that I have discovered anything
new. Every doctor could tell you the same
thing, but don't believe the general pub
lie know the danger of the promiscuous
kissing INDUCED in by children. If they
did parents would stop their children from
the habit, for in children it is nothing but
a habit, and conveys no sense of affection
or qualification. The teachers in the public
schools would do we'll to caution their
scholars against the habit. Taking COM
mon sense view of the case and one is in
stantly convinced of the danger OF infec-
ton from kiss. Diphtheria is a foreign
growth in the throat. Infection Is caused /
by particles of this growth coming in con
ldCb Wlbu Liz saliva
flows over the diseased spots and absorbs
portion of she minute spores. The habit OF
most people, especially children, IS to mois- !
ten their lips with the tongue. The infected
saliva is thus carried to the lips and the con +
tact of lips in kissing carries the disease
from the sick to the healthy per
son. Nor is diphtheria the only
form of infection that can
be carried by kiss. In the course of my
practice l have come across cases of the
most loathseme disease which the patient
contracted by contact with the lips Of a
diseased person. l would not wish to ere
ate unnecessary alarm in the mind of any
person, nor have 1 any desire to stop the
osculatory enjoyment SO dear to sweet
hearts or newly-wedded folks. [ do not
suppose that such people would heed my
warnings if they heard them, but do say
that for an unhealthy person to kiss anoth !
or is crime, and the habit of promiscucus