Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1883 — LIME JUICE IN TREATMENT OF DIPHTHERIA. [ARTICLE]

LIME JUICE IN TREATMENT OF DIPHTHERIA.

M. Czartoryski, M. D. cf Stockton California, writes as follows to the London Lancet: During a prolonged residence in the interior of China, 1 became acquainted with the fact that Chinese oiace great reliance curing epidemics of diptheria on the internal use of the fresh juice of limes, and of the fruit itself, which they consume in enormous quantities, in every conceivable form—as lemonade, with native spirits, cut in slices, etc.—during attacks of this dreadful disease, with apparently most successful results, it hardly ever failing to effect a cure. The Chine, e consider it a specific and will, in case of need, do anything to obtain a supply. Since I have come back tc California, as also in Louisiana, I have used limes and heir juices in my practice as a physician with most successful result in cases of diphtheria, even in th'* most desperate cases. As soon as I take charge of a case of diptheria, I order limes to be administered as freely as possible, tn any manner the patient can be prevailed upon to take them, especially in the form of hot lemonade, sweetened with white sugar or honey, or cut in slices with powered white sugar Besides lime juice (which I suppose acts by imparting an excess oi oxygen to the circulation, and thereby prevent formation of vibriones, etc., and so has almost a specific effect on disease). I prescribe whatever drug may be i.idica ted to relieve symptoms as they develop and impart strength by ipro priate stimulants and nourishment.