DIPHTHERIA. 233 



sunim- T diarrhoea of children. We have had no experience of this method of 

 treatment, hut from the published accounts the results appear to be very favourable. 

 In obstinate chronic cases of diarrhu-a, and more particularly in the. "white 

 flux," good results are often obtained by directing the attention to the diet. It is 

 a good plan for tin- patient to put himself temporarily on a restricted diet, and he may 

 with advantage routine himself exclusively to milk. The milk is often more readily 

 digested if mixed with a fourth part of lime water. In summer it is pleasanter to 

 have the mixture i.-ed. The quantity taken need not be limited, but it is advisable 

 to take it at regular intervals. If the patient has been accustomed all his life to 

 the use of stimulants, he will at first find a little difficulty in doing without tin-in, 

 but it is imperative that he should make the effort, at all events for a time. 



The patient should be very careful about his clothing. He should wear flannel 

 i he skin, and should have, in addition, a flannel bandage round the abdomen, 

 lie -hoiild keep as much as possible in a uniform temperature, and should be vi-rv 

 particular to avoid draughts and chills. In wet or unfavourable weather he should 

 remain in-doors. When there has been a distinct improvement, the patient may 

 gradually and cautiously return to his ordinary diet. He must, however, still be 

 very abstemious both in eating and drinking. Beef tea, mutton broth, or a raw 

 egg beaten up with milk and flavoured with a tea-spoonful of brandy, is generally 

 well borne. The following will form an agreeable variety : Boil a pint of new 

 milk, with sufficient cinnamon to flavour it pleasantly, and sweeten with white 

 sui: ir. This may be taken cold with a tea-spoonful of brandy, and is useful in 

 many forms of diarrhoea. Tea, and more especially coffee, are to be avoided. 

 Wines and spirits of all kinds are bad. The diet will, at first, be to some extent 

 experimental. The sufferer must feel his way, and find out for himself what he can 

 take with safety. He must exercise the greatest moderation both in eating and 

 drinking. He must be very careful not to take too much of anything, and should 

 he make a mistake he must take care not to repeat it. 



Some people would say that life was not worth living for under these conditions. 

 Let them try. and we think they will soon change their opinion. We should say 

 that moderation both in eating and drinking was essential for the attainment of 

 true happiness. 



DIPHTHERIA. 



Considerable diversity of opinion exists amongst medical men as to the true 

 nature of diphtheria. Speaking generally, however, and without any pretension to 

 scientific accuracy, we should say that it was a malignant sore throat, attended with 

 the formation of a membrane. 



Few diseases are more dreaded both by patients and their doctors than diphtheria. 

 It is a disease which must have been known as long as the history of man extends, 

 but it is only during the last twenty or thirty years that attention has been especially 

 directed to it in this country. Many men now living were in practice in London 

 for more than a quarter of a century before ever meeting with a case, although it 

 omrnon enough on the Continent. In 1855 it was alarmingly prevalent at 

 Boulogne, and it presently appeared among us in the form of a most fatal epidemic. 



