Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1883 — DIPHTHERIA. [ARTICLE]

DIPHTHERIA.

In the death records showing the various diseases which produce consternation as well as grief, diphtheria takes rank among the most terrible maladies with which the medical profession Is called upon to deal. Btil’. we are informed that diphtheria is not a modern distemper. It was known to the human fitmi. ly more than 2,000 years ago mentions this disease and describes the manner ot its attack. It was very prevalent in Spain from 1581 to 1«J1, and wan known as garrotillo. In Naples during 1617 0 swept awav whole families, and the disease was accurately described in 1540 by a French physician, R&iliou. It was first observed in our country bv Dr. Samuel Bard of tnis city, who called it an ‘u ncommon and dangerbus distemper.’

It derives its name diphtheria from the Greek word diptheiia (leather;,. Ttlname was given to it early io thl i cen - tury by a French physician, Bretznonneau. on account of the leathery appearance of the false membrane, which has one of the cbaraoteris ics of the disease. There are numerous therories as to the causes which pioduce diphteria bar the questton has never been satisfactorily settled. What it is is quite as mnch a matter ot dispute. All are agreed that it is a yirus known by its fruits, but no one has ever traced its actual source. Microscopical and chemical tests have failed to reveal in what this poison consists. Of its effects, however, we haye abundant proof.” The Philadelphia Recoi<d from which we make the loregoing ex'ract deserves weil of the public for bringing into special prominence face relating to a disease exceptionally al arming, because of its terrible fatality, and the Record still fuither says:

The greatest number or cases occur be tween the first and fifth years of life, and it has a tendency to effect a number of persons belonging to the same family. Tula fact proves according to Mackenzie, that age and family susceptibility are important pre lisp thing causes. This eminent authority also observes that **in its endemic form it rarely at tacks those who liye in healthy and well ventilated houses ” Again, the same author remarks: “The wealthy are sometimes subjected to causes of infection which the poorest may escape,” because “when diptheiia becomes epidemic in a towr an elaborate system of drainage is calculated to convey the poison by means of the sewers .” It is well understood by the pr session that it may be conveyed by a person not actually aF fected by it. Several yeais ago the hab it of taking children especially into street cars or other public conveyances was loudly couoemnod for this reason by New York physicians. The custom of public funerals has undoubtedly much to do with spreading the disease. People do not yet thoroughly understand that it possesses the property of adhering to clothing, walls of houses, furniture etc., in as marked a degree as do the germs of small-pox only awaiting some particular condition of the atmosphere to aronse i t into action. Diphtheria is said to be ’ more common as well as more fatal in country than in the city. This fact would seem to indicate that wita all their advantages for obtaining . pure air and pure water, country people are careless as to the proper ventilation of their dwelling houses, the condition of their cellars, and as to the relations of their water wells bear to their stables and house drains. However, they are getting to understand these things better, and if the theories of the perpetuation of diptheria be correct, the time will come when it will be with them but a memory of the past.

The discussion of such subjects in the press of the countty is well calculated to produce beneficial results, and prudent people will scarcely fail to be -deeply interested in such aebaie j . It occurs to" us that if Boards of Health were to prepare from time to time thoroughly digested reports upon diseases, giving the people proper instruction in regard to causes and the best methods of preventive, great benefits would result. Man ifestly, with all our school*, colleges, lectures, etc., there is a deplorable amount of ignorance upon rll matters pertaining to heal.b, and a shameiui indifference is manifested even by those wuo ate supposed to be enlightened upon such subjects, bo far as the public authorities are concerned there is everywhere displayed criminal indifference in regard to the Health oY communities.

The Hartford Gourant says of ExGovernor Jewell's wife: "Airs. Jewell was a woman of many social gr.ces and Intellectual gifts. She was a student and a reader, and a person of quick and clear pe'ceplions, which gave her re markable conversational powers. As the hostess of Governor Jewell’s hospitable home i ere and during bis residence at Washington and abroad, she entertained very many guests and made many friends and acquaintances. In the oast tew y ems. however, since both daughters nad kit bom-, she and her husband entertained less than formerly. A few days ago Mr. and Mrs. Jewcllseeru d to ie two of the he dthiest persons io the city, full of life ana vyw. tie died with oniya few days’ XaTuinz. and she tolloweu him with in> warning at all.