DIPHTHERIA CURES.

Western Star, Issue 1384, 28 August 1889, Page 2

DIPHTHERIA CURES.

Mrs Capt. Stevens, Gummio’s Bush, lias kindly forwarded. ns the following simple remedies that are said to prove very effectual in the treatment of diphtheria in its first stages. The clippings are from a Sydney paper, and appeared some years ago. If a person has reason to fear that this dreadful disease has made its appearance, a little sulphur taken in water two or three times a day is a certain means of arresting its progress, as sulphur destroys the fungus as fast as it forms in the throat, it has even been known to cure when the doctors have giving the patient up by another person blowing dry sulphur down the patients throat by means of a glass tube, this is done by first drawing up the sulphur into the tube by means of the breath, then inserting the tube far into the patients month and strongly blowing the sulphur clown the throat; repeat often until the patient breathes easier. When the patient can swallow the sulphur it is best taken dry, as in most throat affections solids are easier swallowed than liquids. Another alleged cure is cayenne pepper.—• For a person of full age, three teaspoonsfull; from 14 to 17 years of age, two teaspoonsfull ; from 9 to 12 years of age, one tea, spoonful!; from 4to S years of age, half a teaspoonful! ; swallowed dry is best, but if the patient cannotswallowitdry then moisten it with a little water, and if it cannot be swallowed lot the patient retain it in throat as long as possible. The object sought by this treatment is the removal from the throat of ttic fatal obstruction, and the' pepper causes such a flow of saliva as appears to loosen its hold, and such irritating as will lead to its expulsion. In iufantg of a tender age, a milder remedy must be used. I have known an infant of 15 months old to be saved by a tcaspoonfull of liquid mustard, and I have known the pepper to be effectual in many cases. This remedy is severe, but the disease needs a severe remedy.