The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1893-10-25
at is wen known fact that our upper

air passages swarm with the numerous
varieties of bacteria land no doubt the
LoefIler bacillus is among them quite
frequently at all times, but that they
are incapable OF much mischief while we
are in good health"
After referring to the bacteria that
constantly infest the cavities Of the head
and throat the writer speaks of the local
preventive treatment of diphtheria and
pseudo. diphtheria.
"How to destroy the bacteria referred
to, or at least to weaken them to such a
degree that they shall cease to be a
menace to health, is question that nat
urally at once suggests itself. In paper
published in this journal number OF
years ago. l insisted that the toilet of no
child should be considered complete
until its mouth, throat and nasal pass
ages had been as thoroughly cleansed as
its face. Weak solutions of creolin were
advised for the purpose. Since then
have constantly acted on this idea, and
feel certain that have prevented many
cases Of infectious throat disease. have
whenever diphtheria has been prevalent,
induced great many mothers to spray
the Threats and nasal passages of their
children several times daily, and have
yet to see the first child Systematically
treated in this way develop either false
or true diphtheria."
Theoretical objections, and exaggera-
tons Of occasional observations, should
be ignored. Formerly frequently saw
one child after another of the same
household develop diphtheria or pseudo
diphtheria, but now, since isolate every
case whether false or true,) and insist
on all the well members Of the family,
as well as the sick, using anti-septic
sprays and gargles, never have that ex-
pertinent. Isolation does not alone ac-
countfor it, for | have noted the same
absence of secondary cases in small
houses and flats where it was impossible
to separate the well from the sick"
The Doctor calls attention to the dang
er which children encounter at school
There is no donbt that many cases of
false and true diphtheria are contracted
at school, and when we study the habits
OF school children this is not at all
strange. The frequency with which
chewing-gum is transferred from one
child's mouth to another's is alone suffi-
Gent to spread the disease. In addition,
however, children constantly borrow
each others pencils, and few of them
ever write without first wetting the pen
Gil in the mouth. In cleansing their
states, they are equally filthy. they use
each others states Unfortunately, and
in cleansing them often pass finger
from the mouth to the slate a dozen
times. The chewing OF gum, paper wads
ETC., is always attended with DANCE II
a daily examination Of all pupils were
made by competent physicians, and every
child at all suspiciously ill sent home
Immediately, the schools would soon
cease to furnish the thousands OF cases OF
diphtheria, scarlet fever, et,I that they
now do. One or more physicians should
be appointed to each school, and as an
examination OF the nose and throat re-
quires but little time their work would
not curtail the school hours materially.
And to what an extent would such SER
vice increase taxation? Not very great
ly, surely; insignifcantly, in fact when
we consider what would be gained"
Speaking Of the Importance of perfect
sanitary plumbing, DIR. Kohler says
every city should have corps Of san
itary inspectors, who should allow only
sewerage fixtures of approved pattern to
be put into buildings. DIR. Fischer COM
ments on the fact that the sewer-traps
themselves may become, II not properly
flushed, breeding grounds for bacteria.
In this connection l will remark that it
has often occurred to me that the waste
pipe of a washstand or sink may be a
source OF infection. Irefer to that part
of the pipe between the external opening
and trap. This section of the sewerage
system gets the warmth OF the house;
has quantities of organic matter poured
into it; has water more or less constantly
running through it, always contains air,
and is consequently most perfect -cul-
ture ground for many kinds Of bacteria.
The traps may therefore be in perfect
order, and yet we may not be safe. Some
device to shut off also this part of the
sewerage system from all communication
with the atmosphere Of the house, seems
to me- to be badly needed, and think an
opportunity is here offered some invent
or" H. ~
The above excerpts do not convey an
an adequated idea of the scope and com,
pleteness OF the thesis. 1t has been
highly spoken OF by physicians in all
parts of the country and is worthy a
careful study by the unproiessional.
Hove maiden fair TO see N f
And best of all she loveth me sai
Our hearts both boat in unity q Isdisil
We owe it all to Parks Herb Tea.
For she was sallow Ind was red