London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Croydon 1895

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]

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21
82—Paralytic sequelæ were noted in 21 cases. They frequently
appeared during convalescence and in the absence of fever.
83 —Extreme and prolonged debility, accompanied by dangerous
attacks of dyspnœa, were the prominent features of four cases.
84 —Total suppression urine proved fatal in three instances, in all
of which the disease assumed a very severe type, and there was
evidence of general systemic infection. The nasal cavity was
implicated in each instance, and pallor, langour, and debility, with
the signs of extensive peripheral paralysis, were associated.
85—Summary of complications arising among the diphtheria
cases
Heart Affections—
Irregularity 8
Syncope 5
Endo-cardial Murmurs 6
Rheumatism and Pericarditis 1
Paralysis—
Nasal 7
Laryngeal 3
Ophthalmoplegia 3
Absent Reflexes 8
Albuminuria 27
Suppression of Urine 3
Persistent Vomiting and Diarrheal 8
Epistaxis 3
Otitis 3
Tonsillitis 2
Profound Debility during Convalescence 4
86—Treatment.— There seems little doubt that the cause of
diphtheria is the bacillus diphtherias (Klebs-Lœffler bacillus), and
that the false membrane is the seat of infection.
87—Treatment must therefore be directed towards arresting the
progress of the disease by the use of so-called specifics all more or
less empirical, or by endeavouring to destroy the infective properties
of the false membrane by means of germicides locally applied, or