Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1882 — TREATMENT OF DIPHTHERIA [ARTICLE]

TREATMENT OF DIPHTHERIA

Rr: es Adopted os the Subjbct bt thb I DLL ADELPHI* AUTHORITIES, great degree of fatality attending ' < t .s from diphtheria, particular]/ children, make* it important that pitcaution be taken against the . ; of the disease, and that the treat* me ■ of those coming down with it be prompt and intelligent. In yiew of the gvm ral lack of information with regard to tl e proper treatment of diphtheria oa* lien is, the resolutions just adopted by the j'liiladelpbia. Board of Health are inter* estrng and valuable. These resolutions have oeen printed and given to the teachrrs <1 Die public and private schools for istrihution among their pupils. Byway or paienthfcsis it may be remarked that every particular with regard to the unsatsiaciory sanitary condition of the Jack* foil chool, recently brought out in the Globe* Democrat, has been verified by the t eport of the City Health Officers, who gave just completed investigation in tho neighborhood. The report of the Phila* itclphia Board of Health is as follows: Recent investigations having proved that the poison of diphtheria is portable, communicable by infection, and capable of reproducing itself outside of the human body, diohtheria must now be ranked as both & contagious and infectious disease. The following rules are, theroiore, more imperative than over before: 1. When a child or young person has a sore throat, a bad odor to it* breath, and especially if it has a fever, it should im* mediately be separated and kept secluded from all other persons except necessary attendants, until it be ascertained whether or not it has diphtheria, or some other communicable disease. 2. Every person known to be sick with diph heiia should be promptly and effectually isolated from the public. Only those persons who are actually necessary should have charge of or visit the patient, and these visitors should be -restricted in Xheir intercourse with other individuals.

Children reridintr in a beusc where there u a case of diphtheria should not be permitled to attend school. 8. When i C 8 ,f diphtheria is fully developed, the eamep-ecautions in regard I to free V.util $ >u, and d snteiton of discharges, bed or body liner, etc., isolation during conyalesence (or management of the corpse should death unfortunately occur) etc , etc., ought to be enforced which have already been recommended in regard tosmalljiox. 4. It is particularly important tint persons whose throats are tender or sore trom any cause should avoid possible exj osure trom the contagion ot diphtheria. Children under ten years of age are in much greater danger < t taking the d s ate, aud do take it of dying from it, than grown persons. But adults are not exempt, and mild casts io them uiay CiUSe whole series of faia! attacks among ci ildien. ft, Numerous instances are r corded where Ihe contagion has retained its viru.ence for weeks <>r months, in cesspools, heaps of decaying vegetable matter, damp walls, etc., and been carried tor tong distances in clothing, in s»-wers, in waste-pipes stationary washstands, and in other conduits. Honce all sewer connections and other carriers of filth should be well ventilated and disinfected, and children particularly should not be allowed to breathe the air of any waler closet, cesspool or sewer into wh.ch discharges from patients sick with diphtheria have entered, nor to drink water or milk which has been exposed to such air. 6. Beware of any person who has a sore throat; do not kies such a person or take his or her breath; do not drink from the tame cup, blow the same whistle, nor put his pencil or jien into your mouth. 7. Do not wear nor handle clothing i which has been worn by a person during si< kutss or convalasceuce£from diphtheria.