Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-05-03
DIPHTHERIA.
Facts OF Interest Concerning this Epi-
IDENTICAL Disease. How tt IL 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 us garrotillo. In Naples dur
ing l6l7 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
ous distemper." 1t derives its name
diphthcria from the Greek word
diphthcra (leathcr). This name was
given to it early in this century by
French physician, Brctzonncau. 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 diphthcria, but
~. Lngn cat t.f a -
torily settled. What it is Is quite as
much matter Of dispute. All are
agreed that it is a virus, known by its
fruits, hut no one has ever traced its
actual source. Microscopical and
chemical tests have failed to reveal in
what this poison consists. OF its cf-
fccts. however, we have abundant
proof
The greatest number of cases occur
between the first and fifth year Of life,
and it has a tendency 10 affect a num-
hcr Of persons belonging TO the same
family. This fact proves. according To-
Mackenzie, that age and family sus-
ccptibility are important prcdisposing
CAUSES. This eminent authority also
observes that lin its endemic form il
rarely attacks those wholiycin healthy
and wcll-ycntilatcI houses" Again.
the same author remarks: The wealthy
are sometimes subjected 10 causes of
infection which the poorest may cS-
cape because "whrn diphthcria be-
comes cpilcmic in town an elaborate
system of drainage is calculated TO
convey the poison by mean, Of the
sewers" II l. we'll understood hy tho
profession that it may bee conveyed ly
a person not actually affected hy H..
Several years ago the habit Of taking
children especially into street cars or
other public conycyancrs was loudly
condemned for this reason ly city
physicians. The custom Of public
funerals has undoubtedly much 10 do
with spreading the disease. People DO
not vet thoroughly understand that it
possesses the property Of adhcring 30
clothing, walls Of houses. furniture.
etc. in rs marked degree as do the
germs Of smallpox. only awaiting
some particular condition Of tho at
mospherc to arouse ii 30 action. Diph-
liberia is said to hc more common. as
well aS more fatal. in the country than
in the city. This fact would seem t.
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-houScs. the condition Of their
cellars. and "a to the relations their
water wells bear to their stables and
house-drains However, they are get
ting to understand these things better.
and il the theories Of the pcrpctuation
Of diphthcria bc correct. the time may
come when it will hc with them but a
memory Of the past.