From DNA to Beer

On diphtheria

A nineteenth-century work on diphtheria gives the history of the disease, lists its different forms, levels of severity, and symptoms, discusses factors that impact the disease’s spread and severity, such as geography and socio-economic status, and reflects on treatment options. Among other things, Headlam suggests avoiding blood-letting, only using escharotics (salves which cause the tissue to die and slough off) in the early stages of the disease, and simple gargles with gentle chemicals.