Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-11
DANGER FROM OlPHTHERlA.
How 20 Prevent the hpresding of tho
Disease.
RICHMOND, October 10, 1891.

RICHMOND. October 10, 1891.
To NE Editor Of he Dispatch
SO much has been said and written about
diphtheria that AIN 10th to add my mite
70 its already volumiuous literature. but
by interest In the welfare Of my fellow
beings overcomeS my judgment il the mat
ter. hence l am constrained 20 offer q few
suggestions to prevent the dissemination
of this much-dreaded and olttimes fatal
disease.
need hardly endeayor to maintain the
theory of the contaglousness OF the dis
ease. Medical writers are almost unit on
this point and medical literature teens
with reports OF cases substantiative Of 1t.
i cannot do better than to quote the
words of one of our highest and most re-
liable medical authorities: Prevention,
after oil, is not tue business IF the pEysl-
elan only, but just Gs much that of the in
dividual or the complex OF individuals
VIZ, the town. the state, and the nation.
Those sick with dIphtLeria must be 100
lated, though the case appear ever 50 mild,
and If poss Tie tie other children must be
sent out OF the house altogether. IL that
be impossible let them remain outside the
house in the open air as long as feasible
with open bedroom windows during the
night in the most distant part OF the
house. and let their throats and those Of
their nurses be examined every day. Let
the Temperatures of the well children he
taken once day toward evening. The at
tendant nurse upon case OF diphtheria
must not get in contact with the rest Oh
the family, particularly the children, after
visiting or handling the patient, for the
poison may be carried, though the carrier
remain well or apparently well.
Unnecessary petting OF the patient on
the part of the well ought 10 be avoided
and kissing must be forbidden. The well
children of family that has diphtheria at
homo must not 20 10 school nor to church.
Schools ought to be closed entirely when
O. number OF cases have occurred? II that
be not advisable the teachers ought 10 Le
taught to examine throats and directed 10
examine every chlld's throat each morning
and TO send home every. one with even sus-
picious appearances. Would IL not lie
safer TO have, say two PHYSICIANS to each
school TO perform this service 50 that no
doubtful cases may escape detec Ion. or
course they must be paid, but would 1t not
be money well spent? In times Of an cpl
demio every public. place-theatre. ball
room. dining hall, etc, ought 10 be sub
iocted TO supervision. Where there Is q
large confux of people there are certainly
many who carry the disease with them"
This brings me TO Que point wish To.
make-namely, the strict enforcement Oh
quarantine regulations with regard 20
those living in houses IN which diphtheria
exls,s. one step IN the right direction has
certainly been taken, that of warning tho
public OF the existence OF diphtherla
within" II tho public are warned not TO
approach the diseased house. why should
not the reverse rule obtain restricting the
communication OF those living III injected
houses with the public II 1t IS dangerous
to enter an injected house 1t II certainly
equally Us dangerous. II not more 80, lor
those living III such house 10 MlhEie'
without special care or attention 10 clothes
or persons, with the public. thus sowing
The disea,e broadcast throughout the city.
We're IT not too harsh should advocate
q dlphtheria hospital, with special physl-
clans and nurses similar 10 our smallpox
hospitals, for Who can deny that thus $50,
latlng small pox patients has been no sila!I
factor in iessening the prevalence OF Inns
horrible. loathsome disease True such
law would meet at first with considerable
opposltion from few individuals. but can
sentiment be considered when not only the
lives but the welfare vi community ID AZ
STAKE? Everything must DO done ior ,ue
~
yhen. again, we should have an ordinance
prohibiting the entrance from any loca-
ZION whatsoever OF corpse into OF car
riape through the city without certln-
cate from the attending physician stating
the cause OF death, this certificate 10 DC
presented to the president Of the Board OF
Health tor his approval, and the corpse Oh
a person who has died of d contagious uis.
ease should not be allowed to be brought
into the city under any circumstances
whatsoeyer, Only few weeks ago the
coru.e of child that died from diphtheria
was brought into the city and carried INTO
oc,lltv that had up to that time enJoyeo
uerfsct immunity from the disease. quick,
~ two cases aud two deaths followed, anu
tho LOCALITY 10 now i'll constant danger Oh I"
rscurrence. If indeed it has not already
occurred from this source OF iniection'
Geutiment must be made suoservient 10
Tie lives and welfare of the community.
Again, it should be tho imperative duty
of tie health department to superihtehu
tha fnmlcation and dsinfection OIL every
house in which diphtheria has occurred
also all articles Of wearing apparel, mousse
hold furniture. DC. In II. and certincate
he given after its performance. 10 put
sucn laws into execution might ana prop
os,lv would entail some additional trouble
and exponso. bu: TO what would III amount
Il n did but prevent the further spread OF
the disease at this time. to say notnii. oi
the lives that would be saved Ana us re-
cn T even should it again appear. we
viii be better prepared to locaiize 1t ana
prevent its dissemination: A..
ptf9b ~ye but one excuse to make for the
.,.ns.rsncs of this article in public print
namely. that thus ! might more promptly
md siiectually reach those who have been
On" ann,rnstsd with the responsibility OF guard
ing our c csy Gn III i :Hpuid II appeal in
n orr midst. The populaee will certainly
s yutx :" them and hold them yesponsibic
TO- ths enactment and snfc!csment OF such
iors ~ and Regulations as will protect them
tam the rsyaess Of thrsatsning epidenie
1tv.s - ~kaAavny ualura. THIS ". a