Untitled

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 419, 29 October 1861, Page 3

The foliowiog quotation from Dr. Hamilton, may, in some *oea*ure apply to the throat epidemic. I shall, however, observe that I have m\ Witnessed a cue during the prevalence o£

the disease here in wbich the trachea or windpipe has been decidedly affected, producing that unmistakeable inflammation commonly known as croup; but this I have at times, perhaps not unfrequently, an extension of inflammation to the glottis and epiglottis (both cartilaginous substances), and the thick tenacious matter, secreted from parts in the throat, has, especially when accompanied by severe catarrh, been lodged upon these-substances, which lead to the windpipe and threatens suffocation, but without - the croupal characteristic. I may hero extract an article relative to a disease somewhat similar to that which has so extentively pervaded through this and various other couutries. The description is given by Dr. Hamilton, of Edinburgh :— • Symptoms.— There is a very'dangerous modification of sore throat which begins in the form of a whitish spot, like that of thrush (though more definite in shape, being round or oval), on oue or both of the tonsils, unaccom- • pained at first with fever, and attended by only a trifling degree of uneasiness in swallowing. By and bye this spot enlarges, becoming of a florid color, fever steals on, and the act of swallowing grows more painful. A slough gradually forms with evident ulceration at its edges, the fever increases, aud headacho and restlessness supervene. The partial separation of the slough, together with the rosy color of the edges of the ulcer, with the moderate degree of (ever for some days, promises a favorable issue ; but very uiiexpectf ;Sy slowness of breathing, without cither difficulty or wheezing, takes place, with excessiveand sudden sinkingof theliving powers ; and it generally happens, that, within a day from this change, the fatal event takes place, the respiration gradually diminishing in frequency ; sometimes, with the sloughing, the tonsils swell. Two other symptoms occasionally attend the disease : the one is a most offensive fcetor (or smell) of tbe breach, and the other is the sudden occurrence of croup ; the croup has occurred before the sixth day, and the fcetor (or smell) of the breath from the sixth to the ninth day after the disease is distinctly marked. ' Treatment, —This is a very dangerous and often an unmanageable affection. The ulceration iv the throat goes on in spite of all the varieties of gargles we can employ: leeches, purgatives, and blisters have no effect in stop< ping the progress of the disease ; indeed, blisters are very apt to become gangrenous.' Tims far is Professor Hamilton's description of a disease which he states is peculiar and generally in the throat and fauces of children, which frequently ends with the worst symptoms of croup. It cannot fail to bo noticed by those who Lave had opportunities of witnessing the throat disease that has appeared in this country for some time past, and destroyed so many children and young persons by its deleterious properties, that, in many respects, it bears a great resemblance to Dr. Hamilton's description of those that fell under his observation, yefc it cannot be considered as identical. It is not every affection of sore throat that should be classed with this destructive disease, yet we caunut divest ourselves of the possibility of their becoming malignant cither from neglect or improper treatment, and should therefore be careful iy watched at its first appearance; at this time moie especially, this would be but an act of prudence. I waild farther add to my observations on the tin oat disease that, in somo instances, it has leui oiiluT inhered in or accompanied with severe cutfUThal affections, attacking the mucous nierobraue of the nose, extending to the pahite an I the fauces, implicating other parts of fie tliroi.it. These denote a slate of high inf!;imn:uio:y action, and are accompanied with a profuse secretion of seium and pituitous matter, amounting in some instances to many ounces in a clay, er.tur;iti>jg several pocket-handkerchiefs. TLio after some time becomes thick aud tenacious, with an addition of pu3 or matter of a veliow color. This thick nmeo-purulent matter (if if. cannot be brooch*; up h:m\ tha throat by an (fl'vrt of the child) should be very frequently removed by an assistant or person iv attendance viih a piece of soft rag or calico fastened to the end of a small stick. The'rag should be passed three or four turns around the stick (which should bs about the thickness of a goose-quill and bent a little), the rag should project beyond the stifjk an inch and a half, and then be tied on to the stick (about six or sevea inches long). Thus armed, it should be cartfuily and tenderly passed over the tongue down over its baso to the affected part of the throat, theu to be passed from one side to I ho other, giving it a gentle turn so as to wipe out the collected matter. Tuis should be frequently repeated 30 as to keep the -passage clear for breathing—the rag might be fust moistened wi;h tepid water. Batides, it would be found of gveot benefit if the child or person affected were to have their face held over a basin containing hoi water so as to inhale tho vapour (the steam aribiug f:om it), and this should be repealed very often—every hour or two, for eight or ten minutes at a tirno. These instructions should be Ptiietly and diligently attended to. • As to medicines and other medical means I must, rtrfVaiii from giving any advice litre; thoie uunt be left to the judgment of the medical in:ui in atter.dauce, since that treatment which might bo proper in ono state would be dotriweutal in -another; therefore grout discrimination is required in Iheadmiuistraliou or prescribing of niodicme. What I have above recommended, ii jui-lioio;j;-,ly acted upon and carefully perforriicd, cannot interfere with other medical means. It should be re-collected that my letters, which you kindly gave currency to are, "intended for t!io information of the community, the inteiiigLMit poition of whom will I hopo duly appreciate them — 11. King don M.D.

The following is an extract from the Medical Times and Gazette. At a recent meeting of tlie Medical Society of London, a very interesting paper on diptheria was read by Dr. W. R. Rogers, who gave a concise history of the nature and pathology of the disease, illus!rated by several cases which had fallen under his own notice. The work of i Bretoneau was the foundation of our modem view on diptheria; ai;d !he descriptions of that accurate observer were found to be verified by tha cup.es which had lately oceured in this country. Dr. lingers thought dijjtheriti was a totally distinct disease from scarlatina, with which, indeed, if. had but few features, in common : although the fact that the throat was uifecied in both often lead to errors in diagnosis. Tlie best treatment of dip: heria consisted in the application of local remedies, such as hydrochloric add, with an equal quantity of glycerine, and the administration of nutritious food and stimulating beverages,— the quantity of beer and wme which patients could bear being often ;

quite astonishing. Diptheria should be regarded as a blood-disease of a peculiar nature, attended invariably by the production of a pseudo-mem- , brave on some region of the body, aud the earlytreatment consisted in cauterising the part where it first developed itself, and at the same time supporting the strength of the patient.' The following is Dr. Guy's opiuion of diptheria : —' This disease which has recently been so prevalent in England consists of a deep red inflammatioii of the mouth, tongue, fauces (gullet), attended by a false membrane covering the part affected, the inflammation extending to the air passage. The disease is characterised by deep depression. The disease may occur at all ages, though most common in childhood. To support and to remove the false membrane is the diiect treatment. To fulfil the one take nou- , rishing diet and stimulants, and the other by the application of borax or a week solution of minerial acids.