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Show im ITTflE DOCTORS SAT. MEASURES TDK THE rBEVESTIOS OK THE INCREASE OK DIPilTHERlA. Diphtheria has come to occupy such a leading place in the thoughts ofbyglenista, on account of the way In which It Is gradually but surely spreading, that nothing that Deare on this serious question can fall J arouse our interest I think, therefore, there-fore, that it may be useful to call the attention of the readers of the Herald to the dIscusIon which look place at the Berlin congress in connection con-nection with th means best sul'ed to prevent the spreading of the terrible ter-rible disease Tbefollowingarethe conclusions that M. Boux of Paris presented In tho paper which he read on the sulject before tho section sec-tion of hygiene: Tho disease should be diagnosticated diagnosti-cated at the earliest possible moment, mo-ment, and in order to do this bacteriological bacteri-ological means should be brought lo bear, as they enable us to form an early and precise opinion. As the virus can continue lo exist a long time in the mouth after the patients are apparently cured, they must not be allowed to resume their ordinary life until proof has been furnished that they are no longercsnying the bacillus with them. The virus keeps its vitality for a long time in a dry condition, especially es-pecially when it is protected from tho light; everything therefore that has been In contact with diphtheritic diphtheri-tic patients should be sterilized by boiling water or steam, and this Is particularly necessary for all linen and other coverlnga before they are sent to be washed. Tlie dwelling ftbould also be disinfected, as well as the vehicles that nave been used to transport the patients. In order thai tho patient's relations rela-tions should not carry away the germs of the disease w ilh tbem from tbo hospitals to their homes, all visit should bo forbidden, as far as po&ibie. Those visitors who are allowed al-lowed to enter the ward should Lc required to wt on a speclaljrarmenl, which they shall lay aside on leaving, leav-ing, at which tim they roust also disinfect their faces and hand. When a case of diphtheria has appeared In a schsol the throat of each of the scholars should be repeatedly re-peatedly examined with tho great est care. In all complaints of the throat during the course of measles, of scarlatina, especially in children, repealed antiseptic gargles should be employed from Ihe beginning. Dr. Loeftller, of Griefswald, who aUo read a paper on tbo sulject, completed In the following way the conclusions of U. Boux: The diphtheric diph-theric bacillus exists in tbeproduets of tbe diseased mucous membranes, and can be- found there several da s after all the membranous products have disappeared. Children mu-t )e kept a ay from school at least four weeks. Tha bacilli continue to live four or five mouths In fragments of dried diphtheric membranes. It will be necessary, therefore, to disinfect rooms in the most thorough manner, and especially to scrub the floors with sublimate in a solution cf one to 1030 and to rub tbe walls with soft bread. Dampness favors tbe continuation of the vital properties of the microbe; all dwellings, therefore, there-fore, that aro badly lighted and damp should bo made more healthy and accessible to the light and air. The diptberic bacillus, develops very well la milk. This product should therefore bo watched closely, and tbould be condemned whenever it corned from a place that is infected infect-ed with diphtheria. The different diphtheroid complaints com-plaints of the various animal specie, spe-cie, such as pigeons, fowls, calves and f;ig, hare no connection with human diphtheria; till, Klein claims to liave observed a disease of the cat which is the same as diphtherial diph-therial of man. This Is a point that mut be verified. The slightest lesions of the throat increaro tbe rik of catching the complaint; they should, therefore, be attended to. Djrlng an epidemic, epidem-ic, the mouth, throat and mucous membrane of tile nose of children t-boukl be taken care of with tlie closest attention; j rophylaclic gargles gar-gles and wasLea should bo pre, scribed, made of aromatic solutions or of sulllmateone in 10,009. The section of hygiene adoptedall these conclu'lonr, which, If they were scrupulously applied, would certainly have on diphtheria a restrictive re-strictive effect that would soon be rrxpci-Ubk", A. 1 ". Jfera'd. |
