Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-03-21
DIPHTHERIA.
Facts of Interest Concerning this Epi-
demIcal Disease. How IL Is Conveyed.

Facts of Interest Concerning this Epi-
demical Disease. How IL Is Conveyed.
Notwithstanding the alarming pre-
valence of diphtheria throughout the
country, few people comparatively
know anything of its history. 1t is
not new disease, but has prevailed
epidemically from the earliest times of
which we have any medical record.
A medical work published in Sanscrit
more than 230O years ago mentions
this disease and describes the manner
Of its attack. 1t was very prevalent
in Spain from 1881 to 1911, and was
known as garrotillo. In Naples dur
ing 1917 it swept away whole families
and the disease was accurately de-
scribed in 1910 by French physician,
Baillou. 1t was first observed in our
country by DR.. Samuel Bard, who
called it an "uncommon and danger
Gus distemper." 1t derives its name
diphtheria from the Greek word
diphthera (leather). This name was
given to it early in this century by a
French physician, Bretzonneau, on ac-
count of the leathery appearance OF
the false membrane which is one of
the characteristics of the disease.
There are numerous theories as to the
causes which produce diphtheria, but
the question has never been satisfac-
torily settled. What it is is quite as
much matter of dispute. All are
agreed that it is virus, known by its
fruits, but no one has ever traced its
actual source. Microscopical and
chemical tests have failed to reveal in
what this poison consists. OF its eff
fects, however, we have abundant
proof.
The greatest number of cases occur
between the first and fifth year of life,
and it has tendency to affect num-
Der of persons belonging to the same
family. This fact proves, according to
Mackenzie, that ago and family Sis
ceptibility are important predisposing
causes. This eminent authority also
observes that sin its endemic form it
rarely attacks those who live in healthy
and well-ventilated houses" Again,
the same author remarks: "The wealthy
are sometimes subjected to causes Of
infection which the poorest may es-
cape" because "when diphtheria be-
comes epidemic in a town an elaborate
system of drainage is calculated to
convey the poison by means of the
sewers 1t is well understood by the
profession that it may be conveyed by
person not actually affected by it.
Several years ago the habit of taking
children especially into street cars or
other public conveyances was loudly
condemned fors this reason by city
physicians. The custom of public
funerals has undoubtedly much to do
with spreading the disease. People do
not yet thoroughly understand that it
possesses the property of adhering to
clothing, walls of houses, furniture,
etc, in as marked degree as do the
germs of smallpox, only awaiting
some particular condition of the at
mosphere to arouse it to action. Diph-
liberia is said to be more common, as
well as more fatal, in the country than
in the city. This fact would seem to
indicate that with all their advantages
for obtaining pure air and pure water.
country people are generally careless
as to the proper ventilation of their
dwelling-houses, the condition of their
cellars, and as to the relations their
water wells bear to their stables and
house-drains. However, they are get
ting to understand these things better,
and if the theories of the perpetuation
of diphtheria be correct, the time may
come when it will be with them but
memory of the past.