Diphtheria

dif-the'ri-a (Greek, meaning leather), an infectious disease. Diphtheria is a bacterial growth on the mucous membrane of the throat and elsewhere. It spreads somewhat like a mold over the surface, forming a false, furry membrane, whence the name. The bacterium or microscopic plant which produces the disease is called the bacillus of diphtheria. A person, particularly a child, with a sore throat, is most likely to catch the disease; but it proceeds invariably from one who already has it. The germs of diphtheria lie in one's system from two to seven days before they breed in sufficient numbers to attract attention. Care should be taken lest patients with diphtheria communicate the bacillus to others. Ordinary breathing does not dislodge the germs, but a cough is likely to send them out in a fine spray. The patient should be kept apart from other members of the family; clothing should be burned, and all other articles should be thoroughly cleaned with a disinfectant. Lest germs be imbibed, physicians object to having school children drink from the same cup, or wipe on the same towel. The bacillus of diphtheria does less damage itself than is done by a poisonous principle it makes, called diphtheritic toxin. Scientists have succeeded in discovering a remedy which, injected into the veins of the patient, neutralizes this toxin, and is called therefore antitoxin. Treatment with the antitoxin not only destroys diphtheria, but renders a patient proof against its recurrence for some time. Having had the disease once is no guarantee, however, that it will not renew its attacks repeatedly. There is some hope that, by administering this antitoxin at intervals, children may be protected against diphtheria. The annual number of deaths from diphtheria in the United States is not far from 20,000. See Disease