Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-08-06
COMMON SENSE AND DISEASE

The Medical Inspector Of salt Lake
city in his annual report recently iled
with the Superintendent of schools, has
given proofs of the truth, several times
declared by the Deseret News that
diphtheria is much more fatal disease
than smallpox. Out OF the G2 deaths
that occurred during the year among
children between FIVE years and fifteen
years old, 80 were from diphtherla,
while there were none from smallpox.
The public are well aware that ter
rible hue-and-cry was kept up, for
long time, over the mild form OF yario-
loid that prevailed during the cold sea-
son, and the rumpus that was created
whenever a case appeared While the
really terrible disease diphtherIa occa-
stoned but little alarm comparatively.
If any person was supposed to have
been exposed to smallpox, even at a
stage when II was not infectious, he
was TO be hurried off to the pesthouse,
and execrated II he unwittngly mingled
with the public At the same time,
persons who had been in houses where
diphtheria existed In its most dangerous
forms, were not considered such men
ace to the general health, and even the
patients were not required to be car
ried off to an isolation hospital
We do not mention these facts to
cause relaxation In preseyatlye mea-
sures against any contagious Disorder
Gvery means known to science and ex-
perlence should be adopted, and en-
forced II necessary TO protect the pub
lie against the inroads OF disease. sani-
tary regulations ought TO be carried
out to the letter The isolation OF pa
tents is an absolutely necessary pre-
caution. Persons known to be liable to
carry Infection in their persons or their
clothing ought to be guaranteed, until
< Is safe for them to mix with their
fellows All the demands that are rea-
sonable should be compiled with to
prevent the spread of conta Slon
But, after ALL the alarms that have
been made and fostered against one
form OF eruption. that has proven less
dangerous than other complaints, have
been to large extent needless and
were gross exaggerations, while really
fatal diseases caused but little cutlery.
Diphthera is most repulsye and dan
gerous disorder. and ought to be guard
ed against and treated IN that light, it,
rayages have been fatal in many places
and many cages. II Is worse In almost
every symptom and effect than the mild
form OF smallpox, which has been held
up In terrorem and made the subject Of
so many newspaper scares and stupid.
tiles.
Guard against disease by cleanliness;
by moderation and suitability in diet;
by destruction OF waste and decaying
matter. animal or vegetable; by temper
ance and cheerfulness; by ventilation
and sunlight In the home, by observance
Of all sanitary rules embodied IN law,
by the resistance that Is afforded by
faith; by attacking bodily MS at their
first appearance by care not to expose
others to infection, and by Keeping all
promises and surroundings sweet and
wholesome. so that the air may not be
impregnated with the influences that
tend 20 destruction and death. But
alarms and panics are not helpful.
Calmness and care are needed when
trouble comes, and a little common
sense Is worth vastly more than whole
army Of scarecrows or a mighty chorus
Of lamentations.