DIPHTHERIA.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 96, 30 January 1872, Page 3

DIPHTHERIA.

The Ballarat Courier says : —“ When Sir James McCulloch was in office we repeatedly urged the desirability of a Royal commission being appointed to inquire into the causes of diphtheria, witli a view to suggest an effective remedy. The then Chief Secretary, when appealed to by Mr William Clarke, M.L.A., to adopt our suggestion, replied that in the opinion of Dr M'Crea a commission was unnecessary. Since then we have almost as repeatedly shown the fallacy of Dr M'Crea’s remarks, but without avail, and we therefore now appeal to Mr Duffy to take the initiative, in order to see whether, by a combination of medical experts, the ravages of this frightful epidemic, which is sending into the grave hundreds of children every year, cannot be stayed. If anything could move a Chief Secretary to action in such a matter, surely the following, which we take from yesterday’s Crmoich Advertiser , should have this effect. A more distressing item of news never found its way into newspaper columns. Our contemporary writes : ‘We deeply regret to learn that diphtheria is committing terrible ravages in the family of Mr Worlaud, farmer, between Dean and Happy Valley. During the past fortnight four sons and one daughter have fallen victims to this disease, the last of which will be bi'ried to-day. A sixth is in all probability added to the list by this time, as he was not expected to survive on Tuesday ; and a seventh is in a very dangerous state. The ages of the deceased range from two to seventeen years. The disease is attended by great effusion of blood, principally from the nose, and is termed by some bleeding diphtheria. The family previously was remarkably strong and healthy. Mr and Mrs Worlaud, who are deservedly respected, have the deepest sympathy of all who know them, and indeed, of all who hear of the calamity which has befallen them.’ ”