The record-union., 1891-02-13
DIPHTHERITIC SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Precautions That Parents Should Take
Care to Observe.
Another Epidemic of La Grippe Re-
ported to be Fast Develop
ing in the State.

In the monthly circular of the State
Board of Health, Dr.. G. G. Tyrrell, the
Secretary, says that during the month of
January reports received from ninety
four localities in different parts of the
State indicate that sickness is still preva-
lent, although not more so than Decem-
Der, if those diseases affecting the respira-
tory system are excepted.
He adds: There is no doubt that in
fiammatory disease of the lungs prevails
extensively throughout the State, and that
another epidemic of la grippe is fast de-
veloping. The particular feature about
epidemic influenza this winter is the great
tendency it exhibits to pass from the air
tubes into the air cells, thus constituting
pneumonia, which, in many cases, it does
so quietly, that to an ordinary observer it
is unnoticed until death steals upon its
victim. AS a matter of wise precaution
ALL CASES OF LA GRIPPE
Should be brought under the notice of a
reputable physician before they have adj
vanced to dangerous stage of the NAL
ady, as latent pneumonia, which can only
| be detected by a skilled practitioner, may
be advancing. The absence Of the usual
rainfall in January, together with the
cold nights and fogs, seemed to have
some influence in determining the fre-
quency Of coughs and colds, OF which
almost everyone complained. Disorders
OF the alimentary canal were not so fre-
quently reported as i'll December, and no
zymotic disease prevailed i'll an epidemic,
form.
A single case OF smallpox was reported
from Humboldt County, but no particu-
lars were received as to its origin. Scar
let fever was reported in San Diego,
Hollistor, Sacramento, San Francisco,
Cotton, Oakdale, FL Monte, Napa,
Middletown, Santa Cruz, Pacific Grove,
Dixon, College City and Modesto.
In San Diego DR.. I. L. Magee re-
ports that the disease was very mild,
and that among the eighty four cases no.
titled at the Health Office only one death
occurred. In Dixon the disease was
almost epidemic, but no fatality resulted
| from it.
DIPUTHERIA AND GROUP.
/! Sporadic cases of these diseases We're
observed in many. localities-V isalia,
Eureka, Truekee, Napa, Azusa, Santa
Ana, Downey, Los Angeles. San Diego,
| College City, San Luis Obispo, Anaheim,
! Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco,
| Fresno, Mariposa, Pacific Grove, Santa
| Cruz, Modesto Merced, Lodi, Ell Monte
and Alameda. The disease reported by
the press isa antelope Valley consisted in
4 al v,
mother and three children being seized
with it. According to the report of DR..
Fife, the disease was exceptionally malig-
nant, proving fatal to the three children,
| the mother recovering. The source OF
| the disease was supposed TO be q child
| living in Antelope that died suddenly Of
some throat trouble, the nature Of which
was not known. From this the lesson
may be learned that the simplest sore
throat requires attention, as what may
seem to- be quite innocent in it's nature
may give rise to the most malignant and
fatal disease. At the international Medi-
cal Congress the question was asked,
''How long can
A DIPHTH CRITIC PATIENT
| Furnish infectious excretions ?n In re-
ply to this it was stated that eycretions
were found infectious three weeks after
| brane yielded cultures fourteen weeks
after discharge from the throat. Children
| having had the disease should, therefore,
be kept from school for at least four weeks
after recovery, and every article of ap-
parel worn by them should be thoroughly
disinfected. All doubtful cases of throat
disease should be treated as diphtheritic
until the contrary is clearly shown; by
| this means a danger would be averted
that under any other course might be i'm
| minent.
| Influenza appears in almost every re-
| port. In some places it is quite epidemic
| and partakes of all the characteristics of
la grippe, being attended by debility and
| great prOstration. In many cases it is pre-
| iminary to " low form of pneumonia
which is said to be particularly fatal owing
to the depressing influences of the accom-
panying influenza.