The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-11-23
WARNS PARENTS
AND TEACHERS
Health Commissioner King on
Diphtheria Situation.
DISEASE Nay BE PREVENTED
PROMPT APPLICATION OF ANTI
TOXIN IS EFFIcACIoUs.

=
to the report of the city board Of health,
and there were three deaths from the
disease. At present there are nineteen
cases in quarantine, and although this
is two less than for the corresponding
week last year, Health Commissioner
J. G. Z. King believes that the situa-
ton demands the attention of the en-
tire public to prevent the spread Of the
disease. The greatest trouble is on the
west side, where there is an infected
district, but there is danger of the con-
tagion spreading to other parts of the
city unless parents and teachers exer-
else the greatest precautions.
Since the discovery of anti-toxin,"
said DR.. King yesterday, there is no
need of a case of diphtheria -becom-
the treatment is applied within twenty
four hours after the first symptoms de-
velop the disease can be warded off.
THE symptoms of diphtheria are sore
throat, headache, fever and frequently
vomiting AS soon as any of these
symptoms, especially a sore throat. de-
velop, a physician should be called in
at once The patient can then be treat
ed with anti toxin, preventing the dis
ease from becoming serious. and all
who have been exposed can be
treated so as to prevent their becom-
ing all also. If all parents and school
teachers throughout the city viii be
watchful and report to physicians the
first indications of diphtheria, the
spread of the disease may be checked"
Health of the City.
EXCEPT for the appearance of diph-
iberia, the general health conditions
are much better than they were year
ago. The weekly report of the city
board of health is as follows:
The report of the board of health
for the week ending Nov. p shows a
mortality of fourteen, five of the dece-
dents being males and nine females.
For the corresponding week last year
there were eighteen deaths. Five bodies
were brought in for interment and
three shipped out for burial elsewhere.
AT the close of last report there
were twelve cases of scarlet fever in
quarantine. During the week six new
cases were reported and five having
been released, left thirteen in quaran-
tine, as compared with SiXty-siX cases
for the same week of last year, of
which thirty-two were new cases.
'Of diphtheria fourteen cases re-
manned in quarantine from last week.
were reported, three died and five were
discharged, leaving nineteen in quar-
antine, two less than for the CORE
spending period of last year.
"One new case of smallpox was quar-
antined during the week, this case hav-
ing come here from Idaho. Two cases
remained over from last week and none
was discharged, leaving three cases in
quarantine, two less than for the same
week of 1901. Seven cases of typhoid
fever were reported during the week,
as compared with two for the preceding
week and twelve for the correspond
ing week of last year.
In spite of the alarming increase in
the number of new cases of diphtheria
reported this week. it is gratifying to
note that there are but six more than
half as many cases of CONTAGIOUS and
infectious disease in the city now than
at the same time last year, when there
were 1O4 cases, according to the depart
ment records, ninety-two of which were
quarantine diseases, viz, scarlet fever
diphtheria and smallpox"
The Herald is in receipt of a COM
munication signed ''Westsider," which
says the spread Of disease in the west
ern part of the city is due 10 unsan-
itary conditions caused by the dump
ing of refuse and dead animals in
that section. The communication goes
on TO say:
'As to who is responsible for the
negligence in enforcing quarantine
rules. if there are any, I am unable
to say, but l viii call attention to this
case:
"A child was taken from the River
side school with diphtheria and died
two days later. This was reported and
nothing done The week following, a
case Of smallpox was taken from the
same room, and the following week an
other case of diphtheria, all being
from one room. l at once took this
matter before superintendent Chris
Jensen and he assured me it would
receive his immediate attention which
/ believe he gave it, but, for all that.
there was nothing done toward the
checking of the dreaded diseases for
six days after my reporting these facts.
Yet you wonder at the spread of con-
tagiOn. I repeat again, abate the
nuisance and we will have less sick
ness.
Another case 1 wish to call atteh-
ton to is that of c. Jensen of 1922 In
diana avenue, who died of diphtheria.
1t had been pronounced Bright's dis
ease for some reason, but if it is
Bright's disease, why has the home
been quarantined with a diphtheria
flag This young mans body was car
ried on a board, not only out of the
house, but across the sidewalk to the
street, and there placed in the coffin.
within twenty feet of a street car full
of people. Is not this enough to spread
contagion?"
DR.. Kings Reply.
In reply to this DR.. King said yes
terday:
Garbage, dead animals and refuse