DIPHTHERIA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2599, 28 June 1923, Page 4

DIPHTHERIA.

ADVICE FROM A NURSE. A lecture upon diphtheria and how to treat it was given by Sister Webster at the Red Cross Hall in Dixon Street, Wellington, on Monday afternoon. There was a good attendance, and the lecture was followed with the keenest interest. Before the discovery of antitoxin, said Sister Webster, diphtheria was a fatal disease. Thirtythree out of a hundred children who were attacked died. Now if a sufficient dose of anti-toxin were given soon enough, not more than one case out of 100 pi’oved fatal. This was the marked result of prompt treatment. Some people were more susceptible to germs than others, and the first 12 years of a child’s life was the most susceptible time, and more particularly up to seven years of age. Predisposing causes to diphtheria were privation, insufficient nourishing food, fatigue, squalor, damp weather, lack of fresh air, sunlight, sleep, and rest; also worry and excess of all kinds. Age was also an important factor. The disease might be transmitted in three ways: (1) From the infected child; (2) by carriers fthose having the germ in the body but no symptoms); (.1) missed cases (i.e. those suffering from a mild attack and not knowing it). Both carriers and missed cases might be detected by swabbing the throat and testing, the swab to be sent to a laboratory'for examination. Infection was transmitted very largely to others through the nose, throat, mouth, ears, and abrasion of the skin, by inhaling the patient’s breath, or intercepting a sneeze or cough. To eliminate the danger as much as possible, it was advisable to keep a linen gauze over the month. It should be burnt, not, washed, when finished with. The following symptoms were enumerated by Sister Webster. At the onset of the attack they might be very gradual, or otherwise, according to the virulence of' the germ or the resisting power of the individual. These symptoms included weakness, lassitude, feverishness, cold in the head, chapping, and sores about the nose and upper lip. These signs may last a day or more. The patient might complain of not wanting to eat or drink, of- sore throat, and the glands of the neck might swell. The throat might be just mildly sore, merely red and inflamed; or it might be more severe, like tonsilitis, with white patches on the tonsils. Again, the throat might be very sore, with yellow or grey patches on the tonsils, and uvula, or inside the nose. Patches might be far down the throat out of sight, when the voice would be lms-

ky and breathing difficult. There might be a croupy cough. The lecturer pointed out that simple colds should not be treated lightly or left to take their course, but should be treated as serious from the beginning. Medical advice should be sought at once. As precautions, Sister Webster said children should not be allowed to attend crowded places. If fine, they should be kept out in the fresh air and sunshine, and kept warm with woollen vest and clothes and their feet dry. The gargle advised by the Public Health Department was advocated. It should be used at regular times, before meals. Children whose throats were quite sound should also be taught to gargle. The bedroom should be well ventilated, and if the child appeared out of sorts, .feverish or sick, and complained of sore throat, the doctor should be got at once. Other children should be kept out of the sick room. Directions were given regarding the sick room, the care of utensils, and what the attendant should do and wear. The diet of the patient would be ordered by the doctor, whose instructions must be strictly adhered to. The food should be kept in a fresh, cool place, separate from that used by other members of the household, and kept covered with a damp muslin. The nurse concluded by urging her hearers to treat the first signs as serious and to obtain medical advice at once.