DIPHTHERIA 123 



tropical regions, prevailing more in the late autumn 

 and winter than at other seasons. 



Diphtheria may occur at all ages, but by far the 

 greatest number of cases occur between the third 

 and fifteenth years of life. 



The dislodgment of particles of membrane by 

 coughing, sneezing, or labored breathing is the chief 

 source of infection from the patient suffering with 

 diphtheria. 



Nurses and doctors are liable to have bits of mem- 

 brane coughed into their faces, such accidents mak- 

 ing attendance upon diphtheria patients peculiarly 

 dangerous. 



Epidemics of diphtheria have been traced to the 

 milk-supply, but the pollution of milk does not arise 

 from the cattle, and is always due to outside human 

 sources during its handling. 



It is a popular belief that diphtheria is carried by 

 sewer gas, but this has not been proven in any case. 

 Faulty drainage, or leaking plumbing, or accumula- 

 tions of filth of any kind will always afford means 

 of conveyance to bacteria, and, in the case of the 

 bacillus of diphtheria, is especially dangerous because 

 of its unusual powers of resistance. 



The fact that the diphtheria bacillus is so resistant 

 to drying should be kept constantly in the mind of 



