Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-23
DIPHTHERIA CASES.
AethoA1 Adopted Tor Aacertainfng the
Presence Of the Disease.

AetAoas Adopted Ter Ascertainfng the
Presence Of the Disease.
Three new cases Of diphtheria in the
southeastefn section Of the city were
reported today, - well as three cases
OF scarlet fever. From all over the
country the health officer has been re-
eedvinE reports setting forth the extent of
the disease, and proving that other cities
besides Washington are suffering from the
epidemic.
Dr. John E. Walsh. the bacteriologist of
the department IL having his hands full
these days. Cases of suspected diphtheria
are reported every day. and bacterfolosical
examinations follow. Should 1t develop the
presence Of the bacillus. technically known
as the Klebs-Loeffier. the physician attend
Ing the case In at once notified and the
mousse pfacarded. Then follows Isolation Of
the padent and nurse, disinfection Of cloth
ing and premises. and all other precautions
to prevent the spread of the disease
Doctors agree that the disease is both cpl
demic and contagious, and that the specific
germ may travel in the atmosphere a con-
siderable distance from the patient, or may
be conveyed by clothing Of any sort. 1t Is
quite interesting to watch the examination
of suspected cases Of this sort.
Use OF the Culture Tube.
The physician. when he has reason to he
suspicious Of an especially bad sore throat,
applies to the health Office for culture
tube" This is a small tube closed at one
end and filled at Its mouth by a piece Of
cotton. The tube contains blood serum,
carefully prepared according to well-known
rules. and made absolutely free from germs.
When a physician applies for a tube he is
charged with 1t, and Is expected to make a
report within two days.
Tine box contains all necessary direc tons
- Ahl ,,.lH
1t Is known that the germ which causes
diphtheria grows best upon blood serum:
1t is for that reason that this media Is
used. There re two tubes in the box one
containing the blood serum, the other a
swab. The modus operandi OF making a
culture car best be described by quoting
the directions on the box:
place the patient in a good light: de-
press the tongue and rub the swab gently
but freely upon the exudate, or. If none be
visible, upon the mucus membrane of the
pharanx and tonsils. Without laying down
the swab. withdraw the cotton plug from
the culture tube insert the swab and rub
that part of It which has touched the ex-
udate or mucus membrane against the Sc
rum. being careful not to break the sur
face. Put the swab back into its own tube
and plug both tubes. Wrap the box care
fully and send 1t soon as possible to the
health department, where 1t will be re-
cefved at any hour. The boxes must be re-
turned to the health department within
or have not been used. as the serum be-
comes stale and useless. II any germicide
has been applied to the throat or nose
walt at least two hours before taking the
culture
= Ready for k>xami mn tlon
After thele directions have been followed.
and the tube returned, IT Ia placed in a
thermostat or oven and allowed to remain
until the surface Of the serum begins to
show change. 1t is then ready for ex-
animation. fine platinum wire. after
being made perfectly clean by heating, is
gently inserted and rubbed over the cul-
ture. 1t is then spread upon a glass slide,
by means OF drop of water. and the slide
Is ready for staining. BY the use of GER
tain analfne dyes the bacillus is stained,
and being easily recognized by reason of
its well-known shape, the diagnosis is
easy
When DR.. Walsh is assured that the ba-
ciilus is present he at once notifies the
physician, and the house Is placarded and
the other rules of isolation and disinfec-
ton follow.
Every case Of sore throat at the present
time should be examined by a physician