Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-20
DIPTHERIA CASES ARE
 REPORTED FROM NORWICH

Two cases of diphtheria. one case of whocpmg cough and ore of scarlet fever. were reported from Norwich last week according to the weekly mor6idity report just issued by the state department of health. Diseases reported from towns in eastern Connecticut for the week follow:
 Djphtheria-Gr -Griswold 1; ADontville l i; Norwich 2; Mansfield 1.
 Whooping cough-Colchester 24; Grot- on II; New London 6 Norwich 1.
 Measles-Groton 4; Putnam Is.
 Scarlet fever-Groton | New London 6; Norwich 1; Coventry S; Thompson 1.
 Altogether the incidence of disease in the stare during the past week is more CT lass reassuring for diphtheria and scarlet fever show a decrease as; compared with the previous weeks cases.
 The situation il regard to whooplnI cough and measles is, however a disp- pointing one, for these cases are so in- completely reported that the cases report ed merely indicate the locality. where the diseases are prevalent but do not in- dicate. the severity of the disease preva- lence in that community.
 For example. an outbreak of whoopinz cough occurred in Colchester, "A cases be- ing reported. but there were no cases re- ported by health officers in communities bordering on this town, although the dis ease must be- prevalent in that part or the state, When it is realized that there are as many deaths from, wflooping cough as from typhoid fever or scarlst fever, the necessity of reporting cases is~apparent.
 Before antitoxin was discovered, over one-fourth of all diphtlreria eases were fatal. Membranous croup and sore throat with white patches. on or near the tonsils. is usually diphtheria. A la boratory examination of material swab- bed from suci throats will show germs of diphtheria, if it is diphtheria. Chil- dren are mol; susceptible to diphthe- ria. Many catses of mild diphtheria oc- cur each year and unfortunately these cases can infect others, which result in death.
 Diphtheria is spread by the diphthe- ria bacillus (gern) getting into the nose or throat of a well person. The diph- theria germ is present in the nose and mouth discharges of diphtheria eases and carriers. or on things which have been in contact with the nose and mouth. as hands, handllerchiefs, tow els, clothing drinking cups, food, eating utensils, etc.
 Diphtheria develops from two to five days after the germ from a case of i this disease or carrier gets into the nose or throat of a well person. This , is called the incubation period A diphtheria carrier is a person who has had the disease and has recovered i though he still has diphtheTia germs 1T ] his nose or mouth Diphtheria carrier; are carriers because they have received diphtheria germs from a case of diph | theria A carrier may be a person whC l has had a mild unrecognized case, or z person who has not apparently been il ] at all Many carriers are found ir
 schools where some pupils are ill witl l the disease. These carriers are eX cluded from school until free from th' germs.
 1 Symptoms of Diphtheria: The symp toms of the disease are a sore throat which may be mild or severe, accompan jed later by grayish membrane on tn 1 tonsils or throat. This membrane a first may exist only as a small pin point area later spreading and cover
 ing the throat. Headache, fever, an
 rapid pulse accompany the sore throat. Diphtheria is at times called mem
 branous croup or simple tonsillitis. :
 culture of the nose and throat with la | boratory examination will disclose tn
 true nature of the disease. Tho diseas
 may existgin the nose alone, and is cal
 ed nasal diphtheria. If in the laryn,
 it is laryngeal diphtheria, a severe tyI
 of the disease. In these two types (
 diphtheria there may be no thros
 symptoms to show the seriousness of tt
 disease.
 Prevention and Treatment: The cal | ly administration of diphtheria. antitol . i in will cure every case of diphther
 Before the days of antitoXin, 20 to
 jersons died of every 100 who had dipl , theria.
 Diphtheria anti-oXin will prevent otl CTS from having t'2e disease, if they al not already infected. This imnEunit lasts usually three weeks. Diphtheria toxin-antitoxin confers delayed immunity and will last abo, three years in most cases. This imnl nity takes three weeks to develop, it should be used in place of the ant toxin mentioned above
 j. The Schick Test will show whiC children are naturally immune ar !. those who can catch diphtheria.