The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-27
The Management of Diphtheria.
SANITARY Engiueer,l

Diphtheria is spread by contagium, by
which is meant particles of living matter de-
rived from person affected with the disease.
In the great maj ority of cases these particles
come from the membrane lining the nose,
throat and mouth. What the nature of these
particles may be. whether they live, grow
and multiply outside the animal body, and
whether diphtheria can be produced spon-
taneously by exposure to the emanations
from collections of filth, are questions to
which at present no positive answer can be
given.
However the frit CAGES mSy arise, there is
no doubt that the maj ority of cases are pro-
duced by contagion from a previous case;
and in the management OF this disease, when
II appears in family, an effort should be
made to prevent the diffusion of this con-
ta2ion.
II the patient is sensible and careful, and
sids this effort, it is usually not difficult to
greatly restrict or entirely prevent the
spread of the disease after its presence il
recognized but the majority of the patients
are children, impatient of restraint, thought
less and careless and difficult to manage as
regards preventive measures, unless they are
so i'll as to be confined to bed. The great
difficulty and danger arises from the milder
cases. often unrecognized, and considered to
be cases of simple sore throat or quinsy.
There are many cases in which at first a
skilled physician can not say positively
whether it is contagious diphtheria or a sim.
pie non.specihc Inflammation with which he
has TO deal, and his uncertainty may con.
tinue for considerable tine. IL DR.. Jaco-
bis views are correct, and he is certainly
very high authority on this subject. diph.
liberia may exist, especially in the adult, in
a chronic form, not greatly disturbing the
health, or at all events not preventing the
person SO affected from going about and per-
forming bis or her usual duties and vet
making the secretions of such person capa-
BILE OF conveying the disease.
The precautions to be taken in the man.
sgement OF a well marked case of dishtheris
are, or should be, generally known. They
have been published as circulars by many
health boards, and through the secular and
medical press. and may be summed up as
follows: lsola the patient in an airy
room, having the least possible amount of
furniture, especially that which is
pet or curtains. Dsinfect all
excretions and sscretions, and es-
pecially those from the throat nose and
mouth, and all articles soiled BY them
promptly, and while they are yet moist
and thoroughly. Use clean. soft rags for re.
ceiving the discharges from the nose and
mouth, and burn them as fast as soiled. II
other articles are koiled, use solutions of
chloride OF zinc, or biohloride of mercury,
under the instructions of the physician. Be
especially careful as regards toys, pencils, or
ether articles which may be given the Child
for its amusement Of the articles used ia
giving it food and drink, and of the rem.
nants OF such food and drink. Everthing
that has touched the patients lips, or that
has been touched by anything that has
touched the patients lips, is dangerous.
When convalsscence has set in do not
yield too soon TO the opportunities of the
salient to be allowed to see his friends or to
go ont, nor to your own feelings of weari.
meas at the long continued confinement.
Above all things do not. under the excuse of
giving change of air and scene, send him off
TO some other place 10 complete his recov-
cry; you nigh. sand dynamite about tia