tagion or
inoculation. It can be carried in milk or water, and the germs can
attach themselves to furniture, walls, clothing, etc. A person with
chronic diphtheretic sore throat can infect children or susceptible
persons with the disease in its most acute type by kissing. All persons
with sore throat should avoid kissing--as this disease is commonly
spread in this way.

SYMPTOMS. The symptoms vary in different cases. In some the disease
comes on gradually, while in others it is malignant from the first. The
throat feels sore, the neck is stiff and a sense of languor, lassitude,
and exhaustion pervades the system. Sometimes a chill is experienced at
the outset. Febrile disturbance, generally of a low, typhoid character,
soon manifests itself. The skin is hot; there is intense thirst; the
pulse is quick and feeble, ranging from 120 to 150 per minute. The
tongue is generally loaded with a dirty coat, or it may be bright red.
The odor of the breath is characteristic, and peculiarly offensive, and
there is difficulty in swallowing and sometimes in breathing. Vomiting
is sometimes persistent. If we examine the throat, we find more or less
swelling of the tonsils and surrounding parts, which are generally
bright red, and shining, and covered with a profuse, glairy, tenacious
secretion. Sometimes the parts are of a dusky, livid hue, and, in rare
instances, pallid. The false membrane, a peculiar tough exudation, soon
appears and may be seen in patches, large or small, or covering the
entire surface from the gums back as far as can be seen, its color
varying from a whitish yellow to a gray or dark ashen tint. When it is
thrown off, it sometimes leaves a foul, ulcerating surface beneath. The
prostration soon becomes extreme, and small, livid spots may appear on
the surface of the body. There may be delirium, which is, in fatal
cases, succeeded by stupor, or coma. The extremities become cold;
diarrhea, and in some cases convulsions, indicate the approach of death.
Sometimes the patient dies before the false membrane forms.

TREATMENT. The extremely dangerous character of this disease demands
that the services of a skillful physician be obtained at once; and that
his efforts should be aided by the most thorough hygienic precautions,
good fresh air, bathing, and a supporting diet. Prior to the arrival of
the physician, lose no time in using plenty of good brandy or whiskey to
offset the extremely weakening effect of the disease. The