The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1920-12-30

: necessary to prevent its spread.
Diphtheria is a disease occur
; ring most often in children AM
resembling a sore throat or tonsi
Tits 1t is caused by a small germ
called the diphtheria bacillus
This bacillus manufactures ,
powerful poison that is likely tt
affect the heart, causing death o.
permanent heart weakness. Or
this account the patient should bt
kept absolutely quiet in bed. o.
it is likely to affect the nerves
causing paralysis of the throat OF
other parts of the body; the para
Ilysis is usually only temporary
The kidneys are likely to show
the result Of the poison and
should be watched carefully. The
ears may be affected ALSO
Some people are protected
against this bacillus by nature
and cannot take the disease. But
they should take the same pre-
caution as those not so protected
because the germ may enter the
4 throat or nose, live and multiply,
thus making them as dangerous
to others as persons actually sick
with diphtheria. In fact, these
people. are more dangerous be-
cause they are up and circulating
| They are called sshealthv ear
riers. " The patient recovering
from diphtheria often becomes
healthy carrier and for this
reason it is important to taEa two
or more cultures Of the throat be-
fore raising the quarantine.
Diphtheria may resemble al
very mild sore throat, the tonsils
and back Of the mouth being red
der than usual and the person not
feeling i'll.
1t may look like more severe
sore throat with a white or gray
ish patch on the tonsils. 1t is
characteristic of diphtheria that
this patch or membrane adheres
very closely to the tissues where
as in ordinary tonsillitis it is
more easily removed. The patient |
feels rather i'll.
Or the disease may resemble a
very severe sore throat with gray
patches extending over consider
able area and swelling. If the
membrane is on the urula it is al
most certainly diphtheria. The
patient feels very sick, the throat
hurts and the back of the neck
and muscles in general ache. The
patient is feverish and often de-
lirious although the fever may
not be high.
In some cases the membrane
forms in the larynx (Adam S ap-
ple) and the patient is hoarse and
croupy and breathes with diff
Guilty. In small children it is not
uncommon, if such cases remain
untreated, for the membrane to
choke the patient. Therefore, in
all cases of Group, send for doc
tor Immediately.
Diphtheria germs do not float
around in the air promiscuously
as is sometimes supposed. Theyl
are only found on the lining of
the patients nose and throat and
are thrown out from there when
he coughs, spits or sneezes. Event
when he talks they are thrownl
out on tiny droplets Of spit.
Everything that touches the pa
tents lips, such as articles Of
.ood, glasses, dishes, fork or
spoon, is likely to pick up the
bacilli.
The following precautions,
should be taken:
/. The patient should use old
clothes for handkerchiefs that
AN be put in a paper sack and
,urned. 1t is most convenient for
he patient if it is pinned to the
ide of the bed.
2. The patient should covert
mouth and nose when coughingl
r sneezing.
3. The attendant should wear
washable gown that completely
overs her clothing and cover the
air with a washable cloth. A
TASK should also be worn over
ose and mouth, taking care to
eep the outside out. These
hould be put on when entering
ne patients room and taken off
Immediately on leaving it.
a. A basin Of antiseptic sulu-
on should be placed just outside
lie sick room SO that the attend
ot may wash her hands when
yer leaving the room.
$. There should be but one
Lendant and she should not pre-
ire or handle food for Others.
8, No visitors should be adj
lifted to the sick room, even dur
2 convalescence.
p. The patients dishes snculd