The Donaldsonville chief., 1912-11-16
n NUMBER ! =
DIPHTHE:R|A.
Cause, Cure and Prevention Of Dread
Disease which Claims So Many
Lives Among children--Deaths
in Numerous Cases Result from
Ignorance and Neglect.

in Numerous Cases Result Srom
Ignorance and Neglect.
/ Diphtheria is very contagious dis
| ease.
| The essential cause Is the specific
germ, the bacillus Of diphtheria.
With the growth of this germ a
powerful poison is developed. The
parts affected are usually the nose
and throat.
The infection is commonly trans
mitted by direct exposure to per-
sons sick with the disease, or 80
Ipersons who have diphtheria in some
Iof its mild forms, which appear to
be tonsilitis or only common sore
throat
] The disease may be communicated
by infected articles such as clothing,
or by things which may carry infec-
tion from the mouth Of an Infectious
person.
Infection is transmitted through
the atmosphere for very short dis
tances only, as in the sick room
where the air may be filled with
particles OF dried secretions from
the nose and throat of a patient.
| In many cases the germ disap-
pears from the throat a short time
after recovery, but in q small per
cent the grWoth continues for some
| weeks, and in exceptional cases, for
some months.
In some outbreaks OF diphtheria,
| it has been shown clearly that the
infection was spread by milk. 1t
| must be understood, however. the
real source was undoubtedly some
infectious person in the dairy or
elsewhere who infected the milk.
Clearly, producers or distributors
OF this supply should be free from
the Infection
Preventive Measures.
Examination and treatment by
physician Of every child having even
slight sore throat.
IF no laboratory IS at hand the
State Board OF Health will have ex-
amined all specimens sent by ply
sicians)
L When found that d patient has
ldiphtheria, isolation In a. sunny,
well-Venfilated room should be pre-
vided. All needless articles which
would carry ton Should I'm res
moVed from the room. gyo other nef-
son beside the nurse and phgsiefaIa
should be allowed in the room and
they should take special precautions
not to carry infection.
When used early, and lii sufficient
dosage, antitoxin will, with almost
absolute certainty, control real dipil-
liberia.
There is little CT no danger. ANTI
toxin is now made under the inspec-
/ tion of the national authorities and
Its purity is assured.
Deaths from diphtheria in many
cases result from ignorance and
Disinfeetion.
All cloths, handkerehiefs, etc,
used by the patient should be disin-
feeted or burned. This may be
done by an immersion for one hour
in disinfeatant.
Utensils should be disinfected in
boiling water.
Upon convalescence the room In
which the patient was sick (better
the entire house3 should bethorough-
" fumigated under the direction OF
the physician in charge, or the To-
cal Board OF Health. Mattresses
used should be burned and the
bedding either disinfected or burned.
Special attention should be paid to
the disinfection OF the hair OF the
patient.
Bright sunshine and fresh air are
valuable helps, but alone are not eff
feetive.
The chemical disinfectants are pois-
onous and should be labeled and
kept in safe place. Board Of
Health Bulletin.