How Diphtheria Spreads

The city water snpply has nothing to do with the causation or spread of diph theria, exeept, pos'sibly, as a eontaminated water affects the general health of tbe individual and so lowers the resisting power of the System. The increase of disease every fall is dne largely to "catohing cold, " to vitiated air in dwellings, catised by closin doors and Windows that have been kept open all summer, and to similar causes that tend to produce a sensitivo condition of the throat, favorable to the growth of the diphtheria germ. Thereshould beadded to these causes tbediminishing hours of snnlight as the year wanes. The direct rays of the sun kill the diphtheria germ, bnt moistnre and darkness favor its growth and multiplicaron. Good honsewives, who open Windows and shades to the free access of sun and air, are practical sanitarians, figbting contagión and infeotion with the best and most potent of all disinfectants. That cats, poultry, parrots and some other of the lower animáis are susceptible to diphtheria, and of ten convey it tochildren and others, is beyond question. The rules of the Illinois state board of health for the suppression and prevention of diphtheria have recognized this fact for years, and direct the removal of birds and other domestic pets and the exclusión of cats froni the sickroom. The precaution isa wise one, based upon observed f acts. -