CHAPTER IX 



DIPHTHERIA 



pvIPHTHERIA, like tuberculosis, is a disease 

 ^^^ which is propagated principally through the 

 medium of the sputa of infected individuals, which 

 contains in large numbers the specific bacillus to 

 which the disease is due. This bacillus effects a 

 lodgment in the fauces, or in the posterior nasal 

 passages of susceptible individuals and invades the 

 mucous membrane, causing a localised inflammation 

 and a fibrinous exudation so-called "false mem- 

 brane." Its first appearance is very commonly upon 

 the tonsils. As the disease progresses symptoms of 

 poisoning by the deadly toxin of the diphtheria bacil- 

 lus are developed. 



The disease is more frequent and more fatal in 

 young children than in adults. The mortality is 

 greatest in infants and comparatively low in children 

 over twelve years of age. The disease differs greatly 

 as to its malignancy during different epidemics. 



