The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1904-01-29
DIPHTHERIA
BY w. NJ. mccoy, M. D.

remarkable that many have feared the
epidemic; however of late the strictest
precautions have been taken to prevent
the spread of the disease and it is reas-
enable to believe that diphtheria will
spread no farther. 1t is common oc-
currence for one to hear alarming re-
ports in regard to the increased number
of cases. but upon investigation it is
usually found to be wild rumOr with
out any foundation. There is very little
danger of Leavenworth having an cpl
demic of this dreaded disease, and if one
will but use ordinary precautions there
will be no excuse for its spread.
Leavenworth has the reputation of be-
ing !one of the most healthful places in
the state and is apt to remain so, but
NOW and then diseases OF a contagious
nature will infliot themselves upon US,
especially so, as the town grows and we
have more intercourse with the rest of
the world. .1'fIa -
% During the present outbreak of diph-
liberia the source of infection in the first
cases was traced directly to an adjoin-
ing town, and if it had been possible for
strict quarantine'to have been enforc-
ed from the very first, there would have
no more cases and loss of life, but as we
have no officers to watch those who have
no regard for the welfare of others and
quarantine has been repeatedly broken,
it is no wonder other cases have devel-
oped 1t is, however, gratifying to note
that the majority of the families who
have been afflicted have had the proper
regard for the safety of others and have
followed the rules of quarantine to the
letter, even though it has been great
hardship and Inconvenience. The peo-
pie of this community should be very
grateful to those who have observed
these rules, without any other induce
ment than their moral obligation to
others.
1t is notorious fact that in every
community one will find afew who, even
though they know absolutely nothing
about medical science or diseases in gen.
eral, set themselves upon pedestals and
proclaim that they are expert diagnos-
ticians; they do not hesitate to denounce
the physicians in charge of cases as be-
ing thoroughly incompetent and are for
ever endeavoring to make deplOrable
conditions worse by ignoring diagnoses
which have been made, breaking quar-
antine and ruthlessly spreading disease.
We have found that Leavenworth is not
exempt from this dangerous and ignor-
ant class and until these constituencies
individuals awake torthe gravity of their
errors can Leavenworth or any com
munity feel safe as long as there exists
contagious disease within its limits.
AS diphtheria is germ disease capa-
Bile OF being carried from one to anoth-
er, it is of the utmost importance that
people should remain away from cases
of this nature and that those who have
it in their homes should remain on their
own premises having nothing to do
with the rest of the community. The
penalty for the the violation of this rule
is from $25 to 800 or Imprisonment in
the county Jail for 80 days, or both.
Those who know they have been ex-
posed to diphtheria should have their
clothes properly fumigated and should
battle and shampoo the hair often, the
throat should be gargled with any good
aptiseptic solution and the system kept
in the best possible condition, care be-
ing taken to avoid getting damp, cold,
ETC.; houses should be we'll aired and
sunshine allowed to penetrate into every
corner as diphtheria germs do not
thrive in the sunlight, although they
may live for months in dark rooms and
closets. One desiri1g to become i'm
mune from the disease may do so by
having an injection Of antitoxine, the
protection thus conferred is practically
complete for periodsso f one month.
For the benefit of Those who are afraid
of, or opposed to antitOxine treatment,
it is we'll to bear in mind that for the
past eight years evidence in regard to
the benefits of such Treatment has been
accommodating from al over the world,
and it has been proven that where the
mortality was about 5677s before antitox-
inc and it's benefits were discovered the
the mortality now is only so II the
treatment is given within the first TWEEN
ty-four hours of the disease; surely this
should offset any possible objection in
regard to the treatment.
Gould more perfect winter weather
than we have had for the past two weeks
be imagined? Bright sunshiny days,