Newark post., 1920-06-23

Nineteeth article of series for
Mothers Column contributed By
the Medical COnsultant Of the
State Reconstruction Commission.
Submitted By the. Commission
through the Clearing House Of the
Delavdre State Program.
DIPHTHERIA
Diphtheria is recognized as one
of the most dangerous Of all COM
municable diseases if it is not dag
nosed early and immediate treat
ment begun. The attack usually
begins with sore throat, slight
elevation Of temperature, swelling
in the glands of the neck and a
hoarse or "croupy' cough. Ii
these symptoms are observed by
the parent, a doctor should be
called at once. AS the disease pro-
crosses a gray, dirty looking men,
brane is formed in the throat,
which, if pulled off, leaves a raw,
bleeding surface. There is also a
distinctive odor given off in these
cases.
The first thing to be done is to
isolate the patient completely and
to take a culture from the throat.
The isolation is most important, as
diphtheria is spread by direct con-
tact with the patient in most in
stances, although it may be carried
through an article, such as drink,
ing cup which has recently been
used by the afflicted person. The
culture will be sent to the State
Laboratory, from which report
will be received within short
time as to whether or not the
diphtheria germ was found.
Once the diagnosis is established
there is one almost infallible cure
this is the diphtheria anti-toxin
This should be given Immediately
and in a sufficiently large dose t.
obtain immediate results. If thi
is done early in the disease it ha
an almost magic effect. The mem
brane will curl up and come ava.
almost at once, that is, within
twenty-four hours. If the rdisag
nosis is not made early, the dos
may have to be much larger ant
may not have as good an effect
Therefore, it is necessary that
doctor be called as soon as tn
first symptoms are noticed.
The chief dangers of diphtheri
come from two causes; first, tn
possibility Of the membrane chol
ing the patient to death and, set
ond, the danger of the toxin O
poison given off by the diphtheri
germ attacking the heart and cau
ing heart failure. This latter come
on in many cases as long as six
seven weeks after the onset of tt
illness.
In cases where the membrane
producing an obstruction to tt
air passages, drastic steps must |
taken to save the life of the p
tient. There are two methods (
relieving this condition-intub
tion and tracheotomy. Intubatit
consists of putting a tube into Il
top of the wind pipe so that Il
air can pass through the mel
brane. Tracheotomy is the ope
ing of the wind pipe through t
front of the neck and thus lettil
the air in. Both of these must,
course, be done by a skilled ply
clan or surgeon.
According to the State law, ty
negative cultures from the no
and throat are required after t
patient has recovered from
symptoms, before he is freed frC
isolation.
There are many cases where t
germ remains in the throat +
some time after the patient is we
and these are dangerous to 9th
people with whom they may co,
in contact, for while they are I
suffering from the disease, they &
quite capable of transmitting it
others. Some people who ha
never had diphtheria carry th'
germs and give it to those W
whom they come in contact. Th'
people are known as "carrier
and when they are discovered mi
be placed under treatment.