The Baltimore County union., 1883-06-23
DIPHTHERIA.

Notwithstanding the alarming preva-
lence OF diphthcria throughout the coun.
try, few people comparatively know
anything of its history. 1t is not
new disease, but has prevailed cpidemi.
cally from the earliest times OF which we
had any medical record. A medical
work published in Sanscrit, more than
twcnty.three hundred years ago, men,
tions this disease and describes the
manner Of its attack. Il was very
prevalent in Spain from 1854 to I6II,
yind was known as gdITonIl6. In naples,
during 1917, it swept away whole fami-
lies and the disease was accurately de-
scribed in 1910, by a French physician,
Ballou. II was first observed in our
country by DIR. Sam. Bard, of Philadel.
phia, who called it an "uncommon
and dangerous distemper." 1t derives
its name, diphtheria, from the Greek
word GIphhlc,1a, (leather.) This name
was given to il carly in this country by
French physician, Bretzonneau, on
account 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-
,orily settled. What it is is quite as
much 4 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 chem
ical tests have failed to reveal in what
this poison consists. OF its effects,
however, we have abundant proof.
The greatest number Of cases occur
between the first and fifth years Of life,
and it has tendency to affect number
Of persons belonging to the same fam.
lily. This fact proves, according to
Mackenzie, that age and family suscep-
tibility are important predisposing
causes. This eminent authority also
observes that "in its epidemic form it
rarely attacks those who live in healthy
or well ventilated houses" Again, the
same author remarks "rhc wealthy
are sometimes subjected to causes of
infection which the poorest may escape"
because "when diphthcria becomes cpl
dcmic in town an elaborate system Of
drainage is calculated to convey the
poison by means Of the sewers" II is
well understood by the profession that
il may be conveyed by person not
actually affected by it. Several years
ago the habit of taking children especi-
ally into street cars or other public
conveyances, was loudly condemned
for this reason, by New York physi-
clans. The custom Of public funerals
has undoubtedly much to do with spread
ing 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 rs do the germs OF
smallpox, only awaiting some particu-
lar condition Of the atmosphere to
arouse it into action. Diphtheria is
said to be more common, rs well as
more fatal, in the country than in the
city. This fact would seecm to indi-
cate that with all their advantages for
obtaining pure air and pure water,
country people are generally careless as
to the proper ventilation OF their dwell
ing houses, the condition Of their cell
lars, and as to the relations their water
wells bear to their stables and house
drains. However, they are getting to
understand these things better, and il
the theories of the perpetuation Of
diphtheria be correct, the time may
come when il will be with them but a
memory OF the past.