TREATMENT 



455 



Compare yotn^ 

 town cDithL^ 



cases AUBVRN.XT 



oiiiy one 

 3leath from. 



fi*otn. 

 1524 to 1^29 



1922 195^ 



The record of Auburn, New York, is one that can be 

 attained in all towns. Diphtheria can be eradicated if 

 proper prophylactic measures are taken. 



mitted through the agency of various objects such as pencils, 

 apples, candy, eating utensils, drinking cups, or the like, which 

 have been handled or used 

 b}^ infected persons. Diph- 

 theria carriers are seem- 

 ingly well individuals who 

 harbor the bacilli in their 

 bodies. Persons who have 

 been in contact with those 

 suffering from diphtheria 

 are especially likely to be 

 carriers, yet a certain per- 

 centage of the population 

 of anv communitv may 

 be found harboring the 

 diphtheria germs, although 

 unaware of having been 

 exposed to any case of diphtheria. The germ of this disease 

 grows freely in milk. As this food undergoes so much handling 

 during production, the germs of diphtheria often have an oppor- 

 tunity to get into milk unless great care is taken. 



The diphtheria germ is easily killed by ordinary disinfectant 

 solutions and is rather easily killed by drying. When it is con- 

 tained in pieces of membrane, it may live for some time. Heat 

 quickly destroys the germ, but temperature as low as freezing is 

 not fatal to it. 



Treatment. The communicability^of diphtheria renders impera- 

 tive the strict isolation of patients. Unnecessary furniture should 

 be removed from the room, and that which is left should be of a 

 kind easily cleaned. Separate linen and utensils of every kind 

 should be provided for the exclusive use of the patient. Such 

 materials should be boiled, or, better, treated with a powerful 

 germicide after use. The attendant nurse and the physician 



