Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1904-10-13
Totals,
4,071 276

Totals, 4,O71 276
1t cannot be too often emphasized
that the danger from diphtheria is
| not over when the throat has cleared.
The most frequent cause of death af-
ter this time is heart paralysis, less
frequently paralysis of respiration,
nephritis, or broncho-pneumonia.
The Antitoxine must be given
early, for if given late it can not un-
do the mischief already done by the
diphtheria. Cases of great severity
! often pass the period when recovery
is possible before Antitoxine is
given. The period may in some
j cases be four days, in others it may
be less than twenty four hours. The
tissues most susceptible to the dlph-
liberia poison are probably those of
the nervous system, the heart and
the kidneys; and the consequences
of its action may be seen in the pro-
duction of nephritis, in heart failure
at the height of the disease, or in
later paralysis of the heart.
In the cases where sudden death
has followed Antitoxine injections,
the evidence that AntitoXine was
the cause of the death is not conclu-
sive. That SO very few alleged in
stances of this have occurred among
the great number Or injections which
have been made, is sufficient to es-
tablish the fact that Antitoxine it.
self is harmless. At the present time,
after Antitoxine has been in use for
over seven years, no evidence has
been adduced as to its danger or in
furious effects which should deter
any one from its use. Those which
have been reported are to be regard
ed in the light of accidents for which
the Antitovine cannot be held re-
sponsible. After seven years of test
ing on so extensive scale as the
prevalence of diphtheria all over the
world has made possible, it would
seem quite unnecessary to cite statis-
tics in proof of the value of this
remedy.
When a case of diphtheria occurs
in a family Or institute, every child
| that has been exposed should re-
ceive an immunizing dose of Anti
| toxine. This is peint which has
not received at the hands of most
practicing physicians the attention
which it deserves. There can be no
doubt that for limited time-from
| three to four Weeks-the ntitoxine
confers almost complete protection.
| AS diphtheria is contracted, not
from the breath of the patient nor
the air of the room, but by receiv-
passages, all possible means should
be taken to destroy the bacilli dis
charged, and to secure absolute
cleanliness in everything about the
sick-room. Nurses should never be
allowed to eat or sleep in the sick
room, and an antiseptic gargle
should be used four or five times a
J day. The hands should be hept
clean and only such dresses worn as
can be easily washed and disinfected.
J. It is the nurse who is most likely te
contract the disease on account OF
the continued exposure.
The carpets, ,hangings, upholstered
furniture, everything in fact not
necessary for the patients welfare.
should be removed: especially toys
books, cushions, etc. The room
!, should be large one, if possible
with an open fireplace, we'll venti
J lated, and fresh air should be allow
ed in abundance. The floor shoulG
be washed once day with solu
, ton of bichloride, 1 to 1900, and
busted often with cloths moistenet
, in the same solution. All handker
, chiefs, bed linen, and clothing re
moved from the patient should b.
E treated as in case af scarlet fever
Pieces of membrane and other mat
! ters discharged from the patien
s should be put into a solution of car
r bolic acid, to 90, or of bichloride,