Daily Republican., 1884-12-27

The Illinois State Board of Health
has issued q circular containing the
following directions how to guard
against diphtheria
l. If one is subject to catarrh, or in.
fiammatory affections Of the throat,
especial care should be paid to the con.
ditions Of the general health and hygi
enic surroundings. There is reason to be.
lieve that diphtheria originates spon'
taneously in such persons when the sys.
tenn Is debiliated from any cause.
2. During the existence Of dlphtheria
avoid crowded gatherings In badly ven.
tilated rooms, ,asIin theatres, public halls
and even churches. This ls of especial
importance during cold weather.
3. Secure thorough ventilation and
perfect cleanliness of nurseries, kinder
gardens, school rooms and other places
where children are cared for. Parents
should make it their personal business
to secure these in the home and nur.
sery, and to see that those in charge O!
schools. ETC., are also mindful OF these
important matters. Children are more
subject to diphtheria than adults, and
the disease is more fatal with them
hence the necessity for these precau-
tlOns on tneIr Denalr.
4. During the existence of . case oi
Idiphtheria In the neighborhood do moi
neglect any soreness Of the throat, how
ever slight, until assured of its harm
less nature by the family physician.
3. Unless absolutely necessary. dc
not come In contact with, or inhale the
breath Of one sick with sore throat.
Avoid kissing or eating and drinking
In common with such person.
6. Diphtheria has 80 often appeared
where uncleanly conditions have pre-
vailed, when it could not be traced 10
continuous propagation, that its rela-
tion to filth as . cause may be assumed
for sanitary purposes. 1t is immaterial
whether the filth exists in visible and
disgusting forms, such as the garbage
heap, the cesspool, or the privy vault,
or invisibly in possibly inodorous gases
from an illy.cOustructed sewer from
decaying vegetables in the cellar, or in
the poisonous exhalations from the
human breath and body in unventi-
lated rooms. All these undoubted
causes of ill-health should be at once
abated.
Z. Because of the fact stated in No. 3,
an adult may venture, when neces-
sary, to come in contact with q case OF
diphtheria but no child should ever
be 80 exposed, either directly or indi-
rectly. Adults who are compelled to
visit such cases should take the precau-
tion to bathe and change clothing before
going near q child. Children should be
prevented from entering the water
closet or privy into which diphtheria
discharges are thrown, even after dis.
infection. In short, they should be re.
possibility of cOntagion during the ex-
istence of q case.
8. Cats, dogs, COWS, swine and some
other Of the lower animals, are known
to beisubject to diphtheria, and fatal
cases among human beings have been
contracted from them. Avoid, there
fore, having anything to do with cat,
dog, COW, hog or other animals suffering
from any throat disease, until it Is
known not to be diphtheria.
9. Outbreaks OF diphtheria have
been traced TO the carriage of the con.
tagion by the wind Therefore, it il
advisable to close the windows and
doors, and avoid as much as possible
the side of house toward a known
infected house or locality, especially
during the prevalence of high winds
from that direction.
10. There are no specifics or antidotes
for diphtheria. The resort to such can
do no possible good, and may lead to
harm. The best gargle is onepart alco.
hol to two OF hot water-as hot as the
patient can stand. Use every two
hours