Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1919-12-22
DRASTIC STEPS
WILL Be TAKEN TO
CHECK DIpTHERIA
Or. H. G. Tonkin Issues State
ment To Citizens.

ieIlhlNe upOn plan Oh Nttlpii' ia
4. Bruce EAGLE. city health officer,
reported that the disease Ia loeat-
ed principally in the Fourth and
Fifth wards. and that more than
200 cultures had been taken with
return Of l. positive cases, which
are known as carrier. These cases
are obliged to be quarantined until
they are free from germs. While
The cases will be in charge of the
family physician, they will be under
tho direct charge Of Dir. eagle, and
the eases will not be declared cur
ed and restrictions lifted until fin-
al negative culture is found.
This morning DR.. II. G.. TonSin,
president of the board OF health, Is
sued the following statement:
Dlptherla Situation
Conditions concerning the dipth-
eria situation of Martinsburg needs
attention at this time, and take
this opportunity to enlighten tho
citizens of SOME facts which per-
haps arc not new to most people,
but will act as reminder.
piptheria as ii exists in Martins
burg to be confined to the
Fourth and Fifth wards of the city,
and drastic steps have been taken
by our efficient health commissions
er 10 prevent the spread of the dis
ease. The school physician with
competent assistance has taken
cultures of the Threats OF all stud
ents belonging to the suspected
/ zones. and from over 200 culture
examinations return of IL positive
infected Threats has been given.
These cases are known as carriers.
a carrier Is ono who may not show
any evidence of the disease, but
who harbora tho germ and who can
transmit the infection to another
without him elf being affected,
Dipihefia Is n very contagious.
toxic disease, affecting the muouous
membranes usually the throat. and
+ the adjacent structures. The symp-
toms are those of an ordinary sore
throat with fever, pain, malaise, etc
Throat upon examination presents
congcsted appearance and Is more
or less covered with coating or
membrane which l. tenacious and
adherent. Considerable varieties of
sore throat exist and tho affecting
may start In the back OF the nose or
in The larynx. Confusion Of diaenu-,
sis often occurs. hut the mistake ~
better to be called diptheria than to-
be called toHsilitls. The treatment
Of diptheria Is specific, by the use
+ Of anti toxin. Anti-toXln should DO
used early in large doses regard
+ less OF age Of the patient Anti-toy-
/ in does not kin nor does 1t DO harm.
/ The danger from diptheria comes
/ from the effects Of the toxine Of
the disease itself which Is very rap
! id In It's effect. the heart being tho
/ most common organ affected.
Other complications such as par
! alysis, diseases of the kidneys fol.
j low=in the wake of this disease. Too
i early use of antitoXln and too large
1 amount OF dose cannot be used
/ BY q culture Is meant using
sterile germ free swab of cotton
which il rubbed in the suspected
throat, the same being placed upon
media suitable for the growth Of
/ the germ, tho same placed at prop
or temperature, then later stained
i AMI examined under the miserlo.
scope for the germ, IL they arc
/ found, the culture is called posi-
tive, II not found 1t Is termed neg
ative. Negative cultures should be
fottcn from a case before same Ia
released from quarantine. This ap-
plies 10 either an active case of
4 those called Carriers. Quarantine
restrictions should be observed, and
tho people of Martinsburg should
realize the importance of and carry
out the instructions Of the physi.
clans who will gladly explain same.
/ Whenever a case exists, or is sus.
| pccted remember by being an OBJ
servers Of these strict rules you
may prevent other people coming In
daily contact from getting the same
malady. The health department de-
s.res TO rid Matinsburg of this dis
ease as soon as possible, and this
information is given out for the
GOOD of tho people so that they
may cooperate and assist In stamp
ing ont this terrible infection.
BY DfophylaXis is meant keeping
away from and preventing disease.
/ Avoid people with sore throats, and
tlae affected should avoid contain
mating others. Consult your doctor
"a lH. II diptaclia EXISTS in the FAM
llE,-t1c case should be promptly $50
la'ed in the house and if the
service of trained nurse IS not
available come member OF the fam.
Fly can aiifHe the care Of the caqa