DIPHTHERIA EPIDEMICS.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXIX, Issue 3942, 10 July 1918, Page 3

DIPHTHERIA EPIDEMICS.

CATS AS CARRIERS

The Wellington Post says:—At least one boy in Kelburn caught diphtheria during the past few days direct from an infected cat. The attention of the Health Department was drawn to this suspected pet— an apparently perfectly healthy Thomas—and experts soon proved, by bacteriological examination of mucus from the cat, that the animal had diphtheria. The father of the child says that he had always .a dread of cats bringing disease into the home, and his vote had always gone against keeping the risk. Surreptitiously, he had also resorted to strychnine thrice but the eat seemed to regard ths poison as a tonic, and declined to die. Before the citizen could make six more attempts (to complete the traditional nine), diphtheria intervened, and the Health Department gave the cat a painless passing.

When making inquiries about diphtheria to-day a Post representative was informed by a Government officer that he had just received a letter from a friend in England. The message stated that when an outbreak of diphtheria occurred in the Wickham Abbey School recently, there was sho:t shift for all cat pets, by order of the medical authorities. Even much-prized "Persians" were not spared the decree of death.

Dr. Watt, District Health Officer, says that though the Department has not had its attention drawn to many cats actually affected with diphtheria it is well known that cats can contract this disease, and they can Be also carriers. The departmental inspectors always warn people against admitting cats to sick rooms, and they also advise the prompt destruction of cats on which signs of sickness have been observed.

Some persons, while admitting that certain cats may spread any disease, may scout any suggestion that their .cats, living in a clean locality, may be spreaders of disease. It is important to give heed to the truth that a cat prowls about in all manner of dirty places. It may pick up germs some distance away from its home. The cat's method of washing (the "catlick") may make its fur a hotbed of disease. Persons who allow children to play with cats expose them to risk of ring-worm and other skin diseases, as well as to the serious malady of diphtheria. _____