The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-28
Diphtheria Epidemic.

DlDntnefla Epluem1C.
On accoun of the widespread preva-
Ilence Of diphtheria in this state the
following article will be of great in
Iterest at the present time and it may
have much value, if the advice con-
tanned therein is followed.
Special attention is called to the i'm
lportance Of early diagnosis-the examt-
nation by a physician of every case
lof sore throat-and a rigid quarantine.
1t is asserted that doctors experience
Igreater difficulties than in any other.
The article below is an editorial that
will appear in the Carolina Medical
Journal. published at Charlotte, the
October number of which will appear
in a few days. For "Diphtheria Epi-
idemic," The Messenger is indebted to
The Medical Journal.
The prevalence OF diphtheria in epi-
demic form in the south Atlantic
Estates from Virginia to Florida as old
lin the news columns of the daily
press makes a word of raution timely.
While we hope the epidemic will have
lbeen controlled or abated before his
breaches our readers we feel constrained
never the less, to insist upon every eff
fort being made to stamp out the
disease at once. While in many Sec
lions the character of the disease is
mild in others it is very virulent, death
resulting in some instances within less
than tw~enty-four hours from the recog-
milton Of the trouble. The public
seems slow to learn the dangers Of a
wide spread epidemic of this kind and
the first duty Of the physician is to
insist that the people must aid in any
effort to abate its evils. Complete iso-
Ilation of every case n strict quaran-
tine of all those coming in contact
with it as well is the premises. are
essential. All children, and better, ali
under sixteen years of age should be
strictly kept off the streets and public
gatherings of every kind. Much cara
nust be bestowed pon keeping tue
premises in good condition, free from
lStagnant water, c~eSSpoOls and house
hold Stops and refuse of every kind.
lowered vitality make the individual
IAN easy prey to h disease and the
general health should be kept up to a
high standard. After a case is treated.
the rooms occupied, better the whole
house, all the clothing, bedding, furnl-
ture and utensils of every kind must
ibe cleansed and fumigated, and all
the persons contaminated should bathe
i'm some antiseptic wash, special cara
being given the hair, beard, nose and
mouth. treating the last two with an
iantiseptic spray, Nothing short of
this will suffice and the Physician who
l~countenances half way measures in
these respects is recreant in a duty he
owes to the public.
Diphtheria is an i%nsiduous disease
land often valuable time is lost in it's
treatment for want of an early diagno-
sis either because the physician was
not called, or because he failed to
recognize the trouble. In an epidemic
Iof this character the simplest ailments
of children ought to have the care
iof a physician-and in every case, re-
Igardless of the symptoms, the throat
SHOULD be examined.
Antltoxin is as near a specific in dipn-
liberia as We have in medicine, and
should be used freely, remebering that
the earlier it is used the less it re-
lquires and the more pronounced its
benefits; remembering, too. that heroic
Idoses-20,OO0 to $4,000 units-have saved
apparently moribund cases.
When in doubt as to diagnosis use
.antitoxin. Cases Of membraneous
Group, tonsilitis, laryngitis, etc., are
benefited by antitoxin. AS to the harm
produced by antitoxin, the general
opinion Of the profession is that it is
rarely observed and very slight in any
lease, and the benefits to be derivej
from its use completely overshadows
ANY evil after effects.
Use prophylactic doses of antitoxir
500 TO 1000 units according to age-il
every child or young person that Las
been exposed to the disease, and Or
mot forget that adults are also Hable
ito contract it, and no case of sore
lthroat should be neglected.
No arguments are presented here &c
%!enforce or sustain the views given be
cause they are almost universally &c.
icepted by the profession. Our objeci
i'm recalling them is to impress upor
the profession the necessity of create
Idiligence and care in the face OF tn,
dangers upon us and the greater one:
Threatened. 1t may often require cour.
lage TO insist upon some Of the mea.
Isures advocated, but if the disease is
ito be controlled it will be by ans
Through these measures. and the publ.
looks to the Profession for guidance.
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