DIPHTHERIA. Some Sensible Advice on the Subject from Good Authority.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 138, 23 January 1886, Page 4

DIPHTHERIA. Some Sensible Advice on the Subject from Good Authority.

In consideration of the frequency of cases of diphtheria in this city, and the probability that it will be some time before the city is freed from the disease, the following good advice from eminent authority, the Maine State Board of Health, may be read and practised with benefit by everybody ; " Diphtheria ia a preventable disease. Proper preventive measures are almost invariably followed by the limitation of the disease to the first case or cases. When diphtheria gets away from the primary cases and makes its escape upon the community Bomebody is to blame. Keep away from the sources of the contagion. Do not go where the disease is if you can help it, and above all do not let your children go where it is. From the dwelling and its vicinity banish all sources of filth, whether of the ground, of the water, or of the air. The ground under and around the houses, if not naturally dry, should be thoroughly and deeply drained, Diphtheria does not come from far through the air, therefore do not shut up your house tightly, thinking thereby to shut out the disease. By so doing you shut in the poison of rebreathed air, which paves the way and makes it easy for the poison of diphtheria to claim your children. , Let the sun shine in day by day, and the pure air both by day and night. When diphtheria is prevalent avoid all crowded gatherings; especially keep children from such, places. What is apparently only common sore throat in adults will sometimes give rise to an outbreak of diphtheria in children ; therefoie, in all cases of sore throat, prudence would dictate caution in using dishes which others are to use.; A kiss to a child under, these circumstances may be the unconscious signature of the little one's death. warrant., When diphtheria ia rife, keep from the child;.

ten's gums,, jewsharps, harmonicas and otherjihings -which go from' mouth to mouth, Be sure that the drinking water and the milk is pure."—" Salt Lake Herald.'

In Victoria and Kew South Wales, a number of bad cases of diphtheria were cured by the following means :—: — Four drops of sulphuric acid, distributed in a teacupful of water, is given the patient to drink, the result being that in a few minutes vomiting takes place, which clears all the obstructing matter from the throat and leads to the speedy recovery of the afflicted person. Several cases which had reached an acute stage succumbed to this treatment, which is so simple as to be within the reach of every one. A London physician also gives the following receipt :— " A spoonful of flour of brimstone mixed (with the finger) in a wineglassful of water. \Yhen well mixed give it as a gargle, and in a few minutes the patient is likely to be out of danger. Brimstone kills every species of fungi in man or beast in a few minutes. Instead of spitting out the gargle he recommended the swallowing of it. In extreme cases blow the sulphur through a quill."