DANGERS OF DIPHTHERIA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3042, 29 May 1926, Page 2

DANGERS OF DIPHTHERIA.

Gisborne, 26th May. Some unusual features in connection with the death of a twentyone months’ old infant from diphtheria were revealed at an inquest day. It was stated in evidence that the child apparently had a cold and was being treated for this by its parents. She gave no indication of suffering pain or having a sore iliront, and apparently had no diflieultv in swallowing food up to within twelve hours of death, and there were no marks to be seen in the child’s throat as is usually the ease in diphthetie infection. The Coroner (Air. Levey, S.AI.), inquired of Dr. Bowie whether the parents would know if the ehild was diphtheritieally infected when there was no evidence of this in the child’s throat and in view of the faet that another child in the family was suffering from cold. Dr. Bowie explained that he could quite understand the parents being- deceived and thinking that the child had only a cold, as it was a peculiar type of diphtheria which was now prevailing, and in such cases acute symptoms appeared only a few hours before death. He knew of one ease where a child had been treated for four days for whooping-cough, and diphtheritic symptoms appeared only four or five hours before death would have ensued, and the child had to be operated on to remove the blockage of the throat. In such eases, he said, medical advice should be summoned immediately.

The Coroner returned a verdict that the cause of death was heart failure due to diphtheritic infection. He said he would like the Press to note the fact of the peculiar type of diphtheria now prevailing, and no doubt the Health Department would stress the importance of parents summoning medical advice immediately.

Interviewed by a reporter, Dr. Bowie stated that the first symptoms of the peculiar type of diphtheria he referred to were similar to those of a cold, accompanied by Slight feverishness and lack of vitality. Acute symptoms did not become manifest in some cases until

■ emo hours before death, probably four or five hours, hut if medical attention was summoned immediately an operation could save the sufferers life.