Diphtheria.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13434, 22 July 1911, Page 10

Diphtheria.

SOME USEFUL AOVICE,; > , " \ wvi ''■•.•''.'!'' ..'file following' issued by" Govet'ument authority in South Australia, i»' of in'-' tcrest. The great thing to rcmcYuber■ is tliat any sore t)>.oat, any weakness and tomperature, may mean diphtheria. As a simple precaution each child should gargle, well every night at bedtime with Halt" and water. This will help to keep the throat clean, and will also strengthen it, while if swallowed it hiu'ta not even the suial.le.st. It is always well to teach even babies to gargle, for jr.<jiever knows when disease may have to be fought in the throat, and the smaller the child, other things being equal, tlie greater the likelihood of contracting diphtheria, and also the chance of recovery. Bigger children, having more development with which to resist, have a belter chance than the ■'babies" ; -further, they can tell their feelings and can gargle, and understand and i'espoiid to treatment better. Though the death rate from diphtheria line been reduced by the use of anti-toxin, anti-toxin is itself a thing to lie avoided by avoiding diphtheria. If, of course, diphtheria-has set in, then the anti-toxin is the doctor's standby'and the patient's hope. To return to gargles. Children should gargle the throat after they come from school and before eating. This as a safeguard during the seasons of epidemic diseases. Salt and water, a heaped teaspoonful to the pint, is one; baking soda. a foil spoonful to the pint, is another; ami both are safe and simple. In the house itself use plenty of disinfectants. Sheep dip is a good one in scrubbing and floor washing;' and a little lysol m rinsing underclothing, bed linen, and towels is another good thing/ Dr. 11am•iuy Smith's recommendations arc as under

1. Diphtheria is a dangerous and treacherous disease, with a high death-rate. 2. Meet cases occur in children from two to seven years old. You should take every precaution to prevent your child from taking the disease. 3. The disease may be caught from persons suffering from it, and from infected things that they have used, and sometimes from milk.

4.; When diphtheria is about, keep your children away from all other children ae much as possible. Do not allow them to attend meetings or parties. J'ay particular attention to the sanitary state of your house and its surroundings, 5. If. during an epidemic of diphtheria, your child appears to be weak or feverish, :>r have a sore throat, watch it carefully for a week at least, and keep from the others. If possible have your doctor to see it

fi. If your child should take the disease, allow if; to go to a hospital if yon are asked to do so. If kent at home, isolate it completely in a room by itself, allowing it to have plenty of fresh air. Keep it separate as long' as the doctor .Hunks necessary. If possible, send your other children away.

7. Disinfection.—Everything used l>y the patient—handkerchiefs, clothes, towels, bedding, dishes, spoons, tovs, furnitureshould be disinfected before being removed from the room where the patient is, and a.ll rora'nanta of food should he destroyed by burning. The discharges from the nose, eyes, and ears should be received in handkerchiefs, or in similar cloths, and these should be. disinfected or burned.