The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-12-03
DlPHYHERlA
AND MEMBRANoUs GROUP,
Recommendation for Their Pre-
vention and Restriction
Issued by the state Board Of Health
Of Ohio. 4EH

Issued BY the state Board Of Health
Of Ohio. W
Diphtheria is a dangerous contagious
disease, very fatal to children under
FIVE years of age, and prevailing to a
greater or less extent in this State at all
times, and adults are not infrequently
affected, but usually have it in mild
form. The disease 10 caused by germ.
which lodges in the throat or upper air
passages and grows, forming whitish
membrane and a poison, which is abb
sorbed and produces the symptoms of
the disease.
Membranous Group, in nearly all, II
not all, cases, is diphtheria, the mem.
brane being limited to the upper part
of the windpipe. Membranous or diph.
thereto Group Is contagious like other
forms of diphtheria, and the same pre-.
cautions are required for It's prevention.
Diphtheria and membranous Group
land in speaking Of them hereafter
both will be included under diphtheria)
are spread BY means of this germ. The
secretions from the nose, throat and
mouth of person having the disease
contain this germ in abundance, and
the air of the sick.room is also usually
infected with IL. Everything in the
sick room should be regarded as infect.
ed.
This germ may live outside of the
body, in clothing, rags, on toys, etc.. for
a long time, possibly years, and may
thus be carried any distance. 1t may
also be carried by dogs or cats admit
ted to the sick. room.
1t may be present in the secretions
from the throat or nose for some days
possibly two or three weeks) after the
patient appears to he entirely we'll.
Filth does not cause diphtheria, but
persons living amid filthy surroundings,
in dark, damp, badly ventilated houses.
are more apt to contract the disease.
and usually have it in a more malig.
nant form than those better situated.
The germ is also perpetuated In filthy
places.
THE PREVENTION OF DIPHTHERIA.
Attention should first be given to the
sanitary condition of the home. Clean.
illness, with sunlight and fresh air in
abundance may be had In the humblest
household; and. more than anything
else, are the means of securing good
health. Filth of all kinds about the
house and yard should be removed
rather than to attempt to disinfect 1t.
But healthy children, in healthy
homes, may contract diphtheria, and
when the disease appears in commun
ity parents should take every precau.
tion to keep their children away from
possible sources Of contagion. and
should themselves avoid going near the
disease. Adults, as stated, usually have
diphtheria in mild form, and may have
the disease without knowing or being
aware OF it. During the prevalence of
dightheria, adults having sore throat
should avoid children until q physician
has pronounced their disease to be not
diphtheria.
When diphtheria makes its appear.
ance In q community the safety OF the
public depends upon the promptness
and strictness with which the local
health authority enforces quarantine
measures. BY quarantine is meant the
isolation of persons sick with the dis
ease and those intimately associated
with them. Parents should therefore
give the board of health and health
officer all possible assistance and sup.
port in enforcing proper preventive
measures.
The laws of Ohio require the attend.
ing physician to report every case of
diphtheria within twelve hours after
becoming aware of the nature of the
disease. The health officer is required
to give public notice of the disease by
q placard, and no one is permitted to
enter or leave the house Except the
physician and necessary attendants)
without the written permission of the
health ofiicer or board Of health.
WI en- the patient has recovered, or
after death. it is the health officers
duty to see that disinfection Is properly
carried out.
II these measures were promptly and
strictly enforced Ia all cases, diphthe.
ria to q very large extent. would be
prevented. and the lives of hundreds OF
children, which are needlessly sacrificed
each year in this State, would be saved.
SPECIAL MANAGEMENT OF CASES
When diphtheris is present in q com.
munity. q child with sore throat and
fever should be regarded with suspi-
cion. II at school. such child should
be sent home at once, with note to
the parents requesting them to have