Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-04-25
DIPHTHERIA IN ROCK ISLAND
Interesting Results OF the Investiga-
lions OF a Visiting Physieiau.

InterestinE Results or the Investiga'
tions or n Visiting Physieian.
During his recent sojourn in the city
DR.. j. o. Whitney, of Pawtucket, r, l.,
spent considerable time in investigating
the sanitary records for the year ending
April /, 1888, both here and at Daven'
port, and his observations were particu>
larly 10 reference to diphtherla; and DR..
Whitney has written the ARGUS com-
munication upon the results of such in~
designations and observations. He says
that these records afford the strongest
proof of my views Of the disease in guess
ton, as to etiology."
His communication is very interesting:
In August, 1887, one case was report
cd nine in September. forty in October,
twenty-six in November and seventeen in
December, which shows, il anything can
show, that diphtheria is not filth dis
ease. Were filth the cause. the most cases
would be reported in June. July, August
and September, when filth most abounds,
And it is the same in Davenport and in
this vicinity. AS the cool nights begin
then begins the disease in question. And
localities exposed TO the full force of the
afternoon sun, as across the river, below
the bluff, there re see it in its most
intense form Or type. Where the
contrast is great between the TEN
perature at midday and midnight
there dlphtheria prevails the most
Now the rays of the sun are not stored
up in the dark alluvial soils as they are
in a soil of sand to modify the chill of
the night. Hence the difference in tens
peTatures The children have not put on
winter clothing, and therefore they are
not properly protected against the sudden
fall of the mercury. The so-called mem,
braneous Group is phase of diph liberia;
it is a diphtheria of larnyx, which. from
time immemorial. has been deemed
caused by taking cold" Filth induces
ailments of the alimentary cause; taking |
"cold" induces diseases of the respiratory |
organs, to which class diphtheria be- |
longs. Microbes and germs frolic in the |
hot months they don't wait until the |
fall. nor do they migrate to the arctic |
region in winter; but then. il some PEN |
ny-a>liner should so state it, there would |
be believers. There is fashion in medi~ |
cine, as in ladies dresses. but hav
ing been taught to believe that
these little microscopic animals love
warm weather, and that changes of tenn
perature causes the Group. the lung fever
and diseases of that class, l am fogy |
enough to believe what was taught. No;
we are not so created as that Whit of
sewer gas kills us. What a dangerous
and fearful thing it would be to be born
if little heap of earth has. inevitably
the seeds of death. Men and women
drink rum for life time are flthier than
a we'll bred pig, nevertheless-live on,
and with breath that must have mi
crobes, germs and bacillie, if they exist
anywhere. However, wash and be clean;
Try the wet localities by sewers; cement
he cellar bottoms; have a warm, dry
iwelling, and when case of sore throat
appears avoid the breath of such person.
One sore throat breeds another, however
brought about. Use disinfectant gargles
,urn up the sputa at once; leave no
,plt-ups. and after all these points are
attended to. do not borrow microscopes
only fer amusement
j. o. WHITNEY. M. d.
Pawtucket, r. l., April 90, 1888.