The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-11-10
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Some Observations by Secretary
Young OF the State Board OF Health.

my experience and researches have con-
vlnced me" said Secretary Young Of the
State Board Of Health yesterday, "that 0
great majority Of the cases Of diphtherla In
this State since | have been connected with
the State Board Of Health have been the
result Of eoutagion. In my investigation Of
the outbreak at Aliens Corner, Deering,
was able TO trace the source Of the disease to
infected clothing brought from Boston. The
same was true Of the outbreak at Bar Har-
Dor. At East Madison / did not find
evidence Of the importation Of the disease so
conclusive, nevertheless 1t was very strong.
Though the contagious character Of diph-
iberia Is clearly established. there are new
ertheless great many people, and not few
doctors. who believe II Is not communicable.
They arrive at this conclusion from the fact
that they have seen many persons exposed
to the disease and not take IL. But thas
proves nothing, unless u be that the disease
Is not as contagious as some others. mueh
larger per cent. Of unprotected per-
sons exposed 10 small pOx or scarietlha OF
measles would take those diseases than Of
persons Of the susceptible age exposed 70
dphtheria. Very likely OF 100 persons ex-
posed to one of the first three diseases, as
as high as ninety per cent would take IL;
while Of the same number Of persons exposed
to diphtheria only ten per cent. would
contract the disease Diphtherla Is less con-
tagious than small pox or scarletina or
measles but Il Is contagious and there are
abundant cases on record % prove it
The most susceptible ages are from three
TO ten years. Sometimes the disease Is Of so
mild type as not to arouse the suspicion Of
the physician unacquaiDted with Il Of Its
true character. The disease which has
been prevailing at Brunswick was undoubt-
edly diPhtheria, though most Of the cases
were OF mild description, notwithstanding
they occurred In locality where all
the conditions seemed favorable for the de-
velopment OF malignant type Of the dis
ease.
How long the contagious principle Is pre-
served II Is impossible 10 say but there Is
abundant evidence 10 show that II Is some
times preserved for a very long time. Dis
Infection and fumigatiOn as ordinarily prac-
tieed are humbug, not thorough enough
10 accomplish the object for which in
tended, namely, the destruction Of the dis
ease germ and there needs TO be a good deal
OF minute instruction on this subject
More dlphtheria than usual has prevailed
IN this state the past year, and that is true
schools Is apt TO give the disease new i'm
petus because many susceptible subjects are
brought into contact with the slumbering
contagion.
lin Mlchigan the plan has been adopted Of
placarding houses where contagious dis
eases exist. II has worked admirably.
There was strong opposition TO II at first,
but the benefits OF IL have been so great and
are so thoroughly appreciated that a popu-
lar vote today would undoubtedly show a
large majority in favor Of continuing the
practice. We need some more legislation In
the matter Of protection against contagious
diseases In this State and an effort will be
made before the Legislature this winter 10
get it,"
DIR: Young spoke in high terms Of the
Portland Board Of Health and believed they
we're accomplishing good work.