The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-03-07
The Danger of Kissing-A Common Source


OF Infection.
Isan Francisco Letter.l
A reporter converting with celebrated
physician yesterday on the alarming con-
dition of the death-rste in San Francisco
and the prevalence of diphtheris, received
some hints on the chief cause of infection
which under existing circumstances are
almost remarkable. The physician in ques-
ton Is one whose reports on infectious dis
eases have gained him European reputa-
ton, and who has paid special attention to
the subject of diphtheris He modest'y re-
questeG that bis nrme should not be gwen
TO the public if any use was made of his re.
marks. BE said: ''The impression that pre-
walls that the neglected state of our sewers
and streets is prolific cause of the diseases
spoken OF generally as zymotic is perfectly
correct, but so many cases of dip:heria have
come under my notice lately where the
patients were surrounded by the most per-
rect sanitary conditions that I found it
necessary to look beyond those causes for
the origin of the infection. A little research
showed me the prime cause in all those
cases wss the same. All the patients Were
children or quite young girls, ard l found
that they had contracted the diseass by kiss-
ing some infected schoolmate or playmate.
l will give an instance TO illustrate my re-
marks, and which will serve at the same time
TO illustrate the extreme danger children are
subjected to by kissing their young compsr.
ions. A little girl, daughter Oh wealthy
parents, who almost worshiped her, for
she was their only child, complained to her
attendant few mornings ago that she did
not feel well, and cid not wish to go To
nha - =
norant 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 dipptheria spot in her throat, which any
doctor would have noticed, had one been
called in, but which carried no significance
to the nurse, grew and enlarged rapidly.
ard before rec. IS covered half Of the bsch
portion of the throat. The li..le ones
teacher noticed that the child was really
sick and sent her home. Before she left the
school, which may add is sn extremely
well-conducted private Seminary, the chid
said good-by to her desk mate
and kissed her. The little girl who was
kissed caught the disease. In the case Of
the first child the disease had spread so fer
she died, though had doctor been called
in earlier her life would probably have
been saved. The secord child was promptly
treated snd her life was saved.
another case that came to nv notice
bothered NE for some time as to how the
child caught the complaint, but at last /
found out that der mother had allowed her
to kiss the lips of little companion who
lay dead in coffin, victim Of diphtheri9.
Understand me, 1 do lot intend to convey
the ides that have discovered anything
new. Any doctor could tell YOU the same
thing, but don't believe the general public
KIN Ow the danger of promiscuous kissing in
dulged in by children. If they did, parests
would stop their children from the habit.
for in children it is nothing bu. habit, and
conveys no sense of affection or gratifca,
ton. The teachers in the Public Schools
would do we'll to caution their scholars
against the habit. Taking common-sense
view of the case and one ls instantly con.
WINGED of the danger of infection from q
kisa. DiphtheTis is foreign growth in the
throat. Infection is caused by particles of
this growth coming in contact with q
healthy surface. The s. Iva flows over the
diseased spots and absorbs portion Of the
spOIee. lno udDlL CT luOSL people,
especially children, is TO moisten their lips
with their tongue. The infected saliva is
thus carried to he lips. ard the contacts Of
lips in kissing carries the disease from the
sick to the healthy person. No. ia diphthe-
ria the only form of injection that can be
carried by a kiss. In the course of my
practice have come across cases of the
most losthsome disease which the patient
contracted by contsct with the lips of dis
ca ed person. / would not wish TO create
unnecessary alarm in the mind CT sny per-
son, nor have any desire TO stop the oscu-
latory enjoyment so dear to sweethearts anu
newly. welded folks. do not suppose that
such people would heed my warnings if
they heard them, but do say for an IN
healthy person to kiss another is crime.
and the habit of promiscuous kissing most
dangerous from sanitary point Of view."