The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-21

This much dteaded affection Is an ii.
dependent, acute, specific, infectious dis
ease, involving the mucous surfaces Of
the throat and nasal passages, and oft
extending to all the adj lcent mucous
membranes. This disease is o. ten pui-
demic and fr, quenlly il eudpnic incer-
cain places and attacks .peranns of al!
ages, sexes and conditions in life. WI
The anthology or causes of diphlheria
are numerous. While the disease itself
is not hereditary. yet {. child of low VI
tality and of scrufula habits is much
more likely to have il than one who is
OF strong aud healthy constitution.
Unfavorable sanitary surroundings, a
lack of proper and suffi .ient foo !, in
sufficient clothing and FIRE quent exposure
to the wet and cold are. among The pre-
disposing causes OF this disease D.ph-
liberia is most common between the ages
OF two and ten. 1t is quite rare after
thirty; but there are times, especially
during epidemics, when it attacks pei
pie of all ages from infancy TO old age.
SymptOniS.-Th symptoms of diph-
iberia are both general and local Oar
ing the first day or two there is a feeling
of languor and prostration, with piins
in the back and limbs and some head
ache. Subsequently, there is soreness of
the throat and the angl IS of the Jaw, ),
gethpr with difficulty in swallowing.
As these symptoms increase, there is
more or less chilliness followed by fever,
and soon the fauces are seen to be red
and swollen, the tOnsil8 and uvula are
enlarged and covered with the diphthe-
rite deposit. The presence of this false
} membrane" always clearly defines the
disease. Occasionally many of these
symptoms are wanting and the first in
dicatiOn that anything is wrong wei
defined appearance of the disease, such
cases are usually of a. more malignant
ype and consequently more apt 10 be
fatal. The durstion is from seven tC
our,een days, although 81 we're. case,
| have a fatal termination in from forty
eight hours tn four or five days.
P Treatment The treatment of thi
disease should be prompt, energetic anC
e persistent. Medical aid should in ever,
: case At once be summoned. The basis O
treatment is both hygienic and medioi
= nal. Isolation of all those not absolutely
! Obliged to assist in the care Of the pa
: tient is lmpera i've, e p cially is this tTu,
I Of young children. The air If the room
should b. kept at Temperature of abou
e 70 degrees to 70 degrees and rs pure a
t it can be by steady &C instant vpnllttion
q Some one or more of the best dsenfect
: ants should be employed freely. AL
: cloths and in fact everything that cal
r p 'stibIy be spared should be burned at
} ter they are used. The air of the room
= shcul b. KEPT moist. Local appica
n tons aud the medicines which are or
dered by the physician should be use,
. 1t the time and manner which he di
= reefs. We would impress this upon tn
: attention of all who have the nursing o
n patients i'll with diphtheria The die
g should be plain but nouri,hlng. 1t
s very important to keep up the strength
b and patients should be urged to tax,
nourishment at regular intervals evel
= though they do not want it.
o D. not relax the treatment unt yo
y are sure that all tendency TO the forma
h ton of false membrane" is overcome
e After the disease is passed patient
). should take special care to tone up III
s system and bring about as soon as posi-
8 BILE normal and healthy condition O
o the body. Remember that diphLheria
n poison disease acting prim irily upol
r the whole system, and 1t is therefor
e necessary to fortifv the body agains
. snbst quent attacks.
e Diphtheria is liable to be followed b.
I important stquelae, principally of tn
/ nervous system. These often postpOn
p complete recovery for several weeks. bu
n are rarely fatal.
= d. n. PATTERSON, NJ. d.