Page:Diphtheria - a lecture delivered at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (IA b22345656).pdf/4

 the report of the "Lancet Sanitary Commission," as to render such an attempt entirely a work of supererogation. I have subjoined a coloured illustration of the state of the throat in the earlier and in the more advanced stage of the disease. The drawings were taken from two patients seen in consultation with Mr. Dix, junior, of Smallburgh.

In reference to the disease itself, further study of its phenomena has tended to strengthen the opinion before expressed, that it is a disease new to this country, though well known since 1826 in "France and other parts of the Continent; that it is essentially distinct from the commoner forms of sore throat, under whatever term they are known, whether as "scarlatinous," "erysipelatous," "putrid," or "malignant;" that it is only allied to scarlatina incidentally, as it may be to measles, and even to some acute but not true "blood" diseases; that it is contagious within certain limits; and that it requires an energetic tonic treatment, conducted on sound general principles, and not tinctured by a blind faith in particular remedies.

W. H. R.
 * Feb., 1859.