Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1831.

Kumara Times, Issue 1605, 18 November 1881, Page 2

Kumara Times. Pu b lished Every Evening. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1831.

There appears to have been a large amount of most unnecessary mystery connected with what is known as the “ diphtheria scare,” and why should such be the case is the greatest mystery of all. Either we have a terribly infectious disease in our midst, or we have not. If the former be the fact, no time should be lost by the authorities in proclaiming that such is the case, and in taking all clue precautions against the spread of the dire enemy of human life; and if the latter, then ordinary justice and common sense dictate that the wide-spread feeling of apprehension which has now existed for a considerable time, especially among the heads of families, should be immediately allayed. It so happens that there is a very wide difference of opinion on the part of tiie members of the medical profession who have visited and observed the reported cases of diphtheria. Dr. Keiran declared, after visiting the ■sick children at the Shallow Lead, that they were suffering from malignant diphtheria. Drs. Clarke and Porter also visited the same children at the request of the Board of Health, and hold a totally different opinion. Dr. Clarke reported to the Board that lie had visited the Setrina’s children in consultation with Dr. Porter, and lie found three of them ill j that the eldest, was recovering from an acute attack of tonsillitis, and that the other two were suffering from ordinary sore throats. He further reported that iu neither case could he detect the slightest symptom of diphtheria. Dr. Porter reported that after a careful examination of the children he found that the eldest was weak and debilitated, with slight enlargement of the right tonsil, the remains of quinsey; that the second had slight sore throat, and some enlargement of the tonsils, while the youngest child had slight sore throat; tiiat all were doing well, and have no symptom of diphtheria whatever. Dr. Rossetti was sent for by the County Chairman, and he cmie up from Hokitika. His report has been kept a profound secret, but he is believed to hold an opiuon about half way between that of Dr. Keiran and (hose of Drs. Clarke and Porter. Two other cases of supposed diphtheria were reparted in Tui street 1 ist evening, but Dr. Clarke visited them, and after careful examination, asserts that the children are merely suffering from slight sore throats. And thus the matter stands at the present time ; but we believe that it may be safely asserted that parents n -ed not fee] the slightest alarm as to the existence of diphtheria in Kumara.