Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1905-06-16


dividuals possessing such dangerous Or
ganisms can easily infect other persons
either through the practice Of kissing,
or by means Of the various irresponsi-
bic acts Of children. The practice Of
transferring candy, slate pencils, etc,
from the mouth of convalescent to that
Of a healthy child. Diphtheria, there
fore, in most cases, must be caused by
the actual transferrence of the bacillus
from one throat TO another, often by
means Of some intermediate infected
agent. These, and many other posi-
bilties of infection rendered It abso.
lutely necessary that several careful
meteorological examinations should
end in negative results, before the pa
tient is allowed to mingle with the pub
lie.
AT times, simple inhamed throats, or
even typical attacks of folhcular ton
silitis, are due to the diphtheria bacl-
lus, and tncse conditions can only be
accurately diagnosed by means of the
microscope.
One of the most characteristic results
of the presence of the bacillus of diph-
iberia in the respiratory tract is the for
nation of a grayish membrane. This
may merely be present on the tonsils,
or II may involve the entire tract, and
even cause death by suifocation from
narrowing the lumen of the traches or
windpipe. This membrane consists Of
fine interlacing threads Of a material
ibrine including within its meshes
many pus cells and numerous diphtheria
bacilli. The latter not only bring about
local changes, but they form a power
ful poison at this area Of local innam-
nation, which is absorbed, and carried
into the circulation. This poison, or
toxin Is perhaps the most frequent
cause Of death in neglected diphtheria.
The production OF a toxin, or poison,
by the diptheria bacillus has been mem
toned. This toxin has been secured
in concentrated form by means Of the
following procedure: Large TASKS of
sterile beef tea are inoculated with
pure culture Of the dipthcria germ,
and this fluid io allowed to remain for
from ten to thirty days. BY this time
large deposit has taken place in the
fluid consisting Of myriads of bacteria.
This fluid is then filtered through un-
glazed porcelain, and the clear tiltrate
is found to contain a very powerfulpoi-
son in solution, capable of causing death
Of guinea pigs in very small doses. -
About 0.0l5 of one cubic centimeter
would kill guinea pig weighing 800
grams. Roughly speaking, about 8
cubic centimeters would kill a man
weighing 70 Kilograms, or l40 pounds.
This fluid is now injected into the It's
sues of a healthy horse, beginning with
doses as small as 0.5 Of one cubic CEN
timeter. This dose is gradually in
creased until in about so days the ami
NAL can stand large dose as $50 Gu
bic centimeters, or about one fourth of
quart. The animal is then immune,
or incapable Of contracting diptheria,
and the blood serum of such an animal
is capable Of protecting other animals
against the poison Of diptheria, even
after the disease has become establish
ed. This blood serum forms the clinical
remedy known as antitoxin and is
merely made by withdrawing the blood
Of the horse from the jugular vein, and
allowing the serum to separate from
the clot. The fluid Is then put into
small bottles, and with the addition Of
some antiseptic is marketed as a cure
for diphtheria.
The results of this remedy, as used
by hypodermic injection have been
most gratifying, and numerous tables
can be cited to show the great reduc-
ton in the mortality from diphtheria,
which has followed the use.
The America Pediatric Society have
lately published report upon 1884 ca
ses Of diphtheria treated with antitox-
in. 10 which the mortality was only lS
per cent. The New York Health Board
statistics show a mortality of II per
cent while Chicago only gives 6.4 per
cent; Welch tables give mortality OF
about II per cent In 1000 cases.
These figures are compared 10 a NOR
tality of about 80 per. cent previous TO
the use Of antitoxin, and are very
striking. -
I.et us close with a quotation from
Welch's article. He says: Anti Dip
liberia serum is q specific curative agent
80