Treatment for Dyptheria.
--A physician of distinction furnishes the following to the Charleston Courier relative to the treatment and nature of Dyptheria.
- 1st. In its nature it is not a local affection, as is usually supposed, but constitutional, pervading the blood of the whole system before it makes its appearance in any part. It is of a nature kindred to the erysipelas, and though epidemical, is not strictly speaking infectious.
- 2d. Its most manifest symptom is a false membrane, of a white color, which forms upon and around the tonsils, near the palate, and which thickens and extends, unless checked, until the patient dies from suffocation. This false membrane is, however, not confined to the throat, but may sometimes be seen upon the hand or arm, or any other place where the skin has been removed.
- 3d. Among the cautions to be observed are the following: Avoid all medicines and modes of treatment which shall exhaust the strength, and be careful not to injure the skin by blisters or counter irritants, particularly in the neighborhood of the throat.
- 4th. To effect its cure, aim to restore as rapidly and effectively as possible the patient's waning strength. For this purpose let the diet be of the most nutritious character — chicken soup, beef tea, &c. Give freely of eggnog, made of good whiskey, or use the stimulant any other way that will combine nourishment with stimulation. Add to the general strength by the use of mineral tones, of which none is better than muriate of iron, which may be administered as largely as ten drops at a dose every two or three hours for an adult. Between the doses of iron give from five to fifteen grains of chlorate (not chloride) of potash, or of soda. The chloride of soda may be used as an antiseptic gargle, but the best gargle is common salt.
