The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-02-10
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever Quite
Prevalent in the City at the
Present Time.
Cholera Hogs Being Carried Through
the Streets, Inviting Disease
and Pestilence.

whose business takes them in different
parts of the city, must have had their at
tention attracted by the large number of
''Diphtheria" and Scarlet Fever" cards
tackled on the fronts of houses. In fact
the number of cases has been so large, us
to impress one with the belief that an
epidemic was wagiGg Its relentless war.
Numerous deaths have occurred, mostly
among young children, and the physicians
have had all they could attend to. As
soon as a sufferer from either diphtheria
or scarlet fever is discovered, the city
clerk is notified, and placard announce
ing the disease is placed in prominent
view on the house where the patient re-
sides One of these cards virtu>
ally guarantees family. as no
one cares to expose themselves
to the contagion. Frequently three or
four children in family are afflicted at
the same time, and the quarantine extends
some time for a period Of over q month.
The sensation is not pleasurable one by
a good deal to feel that you are isolated
from the outside world, and that you have
to even be denied the opportunity of see
ing your friends. But it is necessary that
this precaution be observed, or else wide
spread pestilence would soon ensue.
The prevalence of these contagious dis
eases should make our citizens particular
ly careful in guarding their children, aud
using all possible precautions against its
spread. Diphtheria is especially danger
Gus, and being more prevalent than SCAR
let fever it demands more consideration
Being contagious, it is therefore prevents
able, and the success of efforts at proven.
ton depends upon a knowledge of the
modes by which it may be conveyed,
which are: By immediate contact with
the eXhalatiOns, discharges, etc, from a
diphtheretic patient, or By contact with
such carnations through the medium of
air and water. The obvious deductions are,
on the one hand, to destroy these emana-
lions, to render them harmless as promptly
as they are produced; and on the other, to
secure the utmost attainable purity of air
and water A preyentable disease which
not unfrequently. causes greater NOR.
tality than typhoid fever, small pox,
scarlet fever and measles combined;
which during 1880, caused 81 33 out of
every 1000 deaths from all causes in the
United States, and during the year 1882
caused nearly that proportion in the state
of Illinois, Diphtheria certainly demands
the best efforts Of all interested in its sup
preston; and this the more imperative
since its treatment, is as yet, confessedly
unsatisfactory. Among the rules pub
lished by the Illinois state board of health
for its prevention, we find the following:
. During the existence of diphtheria,
avoid crowded gatherings in badly venti-
lated rooms, as il theatres, public halls,
and even churches This is of especial
| importance during cold weather.
| 3. Secure thorough ventilation and per
| feet cleanliness of nurseries, kinder gar
tens, school rooms, and other places where
children are cared for. Parents should
make it their personal business to secure
these in the home and nursery; and to see
that those in charge Of 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 of these
precautions on their behalf.
4. During the existence of case of
diphtheria in the neighborhOod do not
neglect any soreness Of the throat, how
ever slight until assured of its harmless
nature by the family physician
5. Unless absolutely necessary, do not
come In contact with or inhale the
breath of. one sick with sore throat.
Avoid kissing, or eating aud drinking in
common with such sick person.
G. Diphtheria has 50 often appeared
where unCeanly conditions have pres
vailed, when it could not be traced tc
continuous propagation by contagioa,
that its relation to filth as cause may be
assumed for sanitary purposes.
7. Because of the fact stated in No 3
an adult may venture when necessary, to
come in contact with a case of diphtheria
but no child should ever be SO exposed
either directly or indirectly. Adults who
are compelled to visit such cases should
take the preCantion to battle and change
clothing before going near a child.
5 Cats, dogs, COWS, swine, and some
other of the lower animals are known to
be subject to diphtherIt, and fatal case:
among human beings have becI
contracted from them. Avoid, therefore
having anything to do with cat, dog
COW, hog or other animal suffering from
any throat disease, until it is known no
to be diphtheria.
8, Outbreaks Of diphtheria have beel
traced to the carriage of the contagion BY
the wind. Therefore, it is advisable tC
close the windows and doors, and avoid a
much as possible the side of o house to
wards known infected house or locality
especially during the prevalence of higl
winds from that direction.
10. There are no specifics or antidote
for diphtheria. The resort to such cal
do no possible good, and may lead tt
harm
One of the essential representatives. t.
diphtheria, as stated above is pure air ant
the most scrupuious cleanliness. How i
} it with us, here in Rock Island2 Is tn
atmosphere pure, and sanitary measures
strictly enforced? We think not Their
, is certainly room for reform in this par
; tiCular.
CARTING DEAD HOGS.
One Of the most fragrant abuses agains
sanitary principles is The carting of chol
era hogs through the city, which is nov
said to be dole in open daylight, an
through the business center, as well
They are taken tn the RENDERING pstab