Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-06-24
QUICK TREATMENT
FOR D|PHTHER|A
Recognized as One of the Most
Dangerous of All Communi-
cable Diseases.

Following is the nineteenth of a series of
articles for the Mothers Column, con-
tributed by the medical consultant OF the
State Reconstruction Commission and
submitted by the commission through the
Delaware State Program:
DIPHrHERuA.
Diphtheria is recognized as one of the
most dangerous of all communicable
diseases if it is not diagnosed early and
immediate treatment begun. The attack
usually begins with sore throat, slight
elevation of temperature, swelling IN the
glands of the neck and hoarse or ''crou-
py" cough If these symptoms are OBJ
served by the parent, a doctor should be
called at once. As the disease progresses,
gray. dirty looking membrane 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 cul-
ture from the throat. The isolation Is
most important, as diphtheria is spread by
direct contact with the patient IN most
instances, although it may be carried
through an article, su ch as a drinking cup
which has recently been used by the
afflicted person. The culture will be sent
to the State laboratory, from which re-
port 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 to obtain immediate results. Ii
this is done early in the disease, II has an
almost magic effect. The membrane will
i ox~I ly,,ncf of
that is, within "a hours II the diagnosis is
not made early, the dose may have to be
much larger and may not have as good an
effect Therefore, it is necessary that
doctor be called as soon as the first symp-
toms are noticed.
The chief dangers OF diphtheria come
from two causes; first, the possibility of
the membrane choking the patient to
death, and, second, the danger of the
toxin OF poison given off by the diphtheria
germ attacking the heart and causing
heart failure. This latter comes on IN
many cases as long as SIN or seven weeks
after the onset of the illness.
In cases where the membrane Is pro-
ducing an obstruction to the air passages,
drastic steps must be taken to save the life
of the patient. There are two methods OF
relieving this condItion-lntubat1on and
trscheotomy. Intubation consists of
putting a tube into the top of the wind
pipe so that the air can pass through the
membrane. Trscheotomy is the, opening
of the wind pipe through the front Of the
neck and thus letting the air in. Both OF
these must, of course, be done by a skilled
physician or surgeon.
According to the State law, two negative
cultures from the nose and throat are re-
quired after the patient has recovered
from all symptoms, before he is freed from
isolation.
There are many cases where the germ
remains In the throat for some time after
the patient is well, and these are dangerous
10 other people with whom they may come
In contact, for while they are not suffering
from the disease, they are quite capable OF
transmitting it to Others. Some people
who have never had diphtheria. carry these
germs and give it to those with whom they
come in contact. These people are known
a. carriers and when they are discover
ed, must be placed under treatment.