Symptoms:
It begins with sore throat and fever. Frequently a dirty, white or grayish, membrane forms in the throat or nose, or both. There are slight chills, possible vomiting and diarrhea, always fetid breath, difficulty in swallowing, and hoarseness.

Children first complain of feeling tired and sleepy. The tonsils appear inflamed, dark red, and unevenly swollen. White, parchment-like patches appear on them. The glands in the neck usually swell.

Cause:
Diphtheria is an acute contagious disease. It begins 3-8 days after exposure and primarily occurs between 1 and 10 years of age.

Part of the danger is the obstruction to breathing, due to the above-mentioned false membrane and is partly due to the toxins carried by the diphtheria germs which, carried throughout the body, especially harm the heart muscles, nerves, and kidneys.

This is a serious disease. Diphtheria is transmitted by clothing, contact, domestic animals, and sometimes by raw milk. Anything (dish, garment, etc.) coming in contact with the person must be disinfected.

Individuals can carry the germs on them for several years and transmit them to still others. A carrier should be isolated until the germs can no longer be found in his throat, nose, or catarrhal discharge.

If there are no white patches or developing membrane, it is not diphtheria.

The membrane is tenacious and dangerous. If not checked, it will cover the air tube and the child will suffocate. It is generally whitish, but may appear yellowish or greenish. When the child breathes harder and then has a frightened look, his air flow is narrowing.

When someone develops diphtheria, there must be no delay. Give him vigorous treatment. You will want to call a physician.

Treatment:
• Give the child all the water he can drink, and keep him in bed, in a well-ventilated room. Avoid chilling him. Too early exercise may overstrain the heart. The diet should be liquid. Fast on carrot juice or fresh citrus juices.

• If the child insists on eating something, give him bananas, raisins, figs, and oranges—and no other food. It is best to give him only liquids (water and fresh juices) until he is cleaned out, the throat is clean, and the phlegm and false membrane are totally gone.

• After the disease appears to be ended, give him no meat for quite some time (better not to give it to him at all).

• Give him warm baths.

• An emetic is usually needed, to empty the stomach of putrefying matter; otherwise high fevers will result. Lobelia in water can be given, but combined with bayberry bark is better. The vomiting must be repeated until the stomach and throat are entirely clean.

• As the disease progresses, lobelia and bayberry bark tea can be given at any time, to clean out the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. Bayberry cleans the membrane and eliminates the odor. It is also healing and antiseptic. A very small amount of cayenne or ginger can be added as stimulants.

• Problems can develop while the child is sleeping—serious ones. Therefore, always give him the emetic before he goes to sleep each time. Otherwise he might suffocate in his sleep.

• Give him an enema every morning and evening. This helps clean out toxins from the diphtheria germs. An herb tea can be added to detoxify the colon: bayberry, white oak bark, or red raspberry. There should be at least 3-4 movements a day.

• Bayberry is excellent in all throat or stomach mucous conditions.

• If the heart rate is rapid, apply an ice bag over the heart.

• In case of headaches, place cold compresses or ice bags to the head and neck.

• A gargle can be made of goldenseal and myrrh, with a pinch of cayenne. Use this every half hour. It will clean the mucous and germs out of the throat.

• Apply hot and cold fomentations over the liver, stomach, kidneys, and spine to keep the circulation normal. This stimulates the lymphatic system, to help clean out toxins.

• If there is any danger of paralysis, give hot and cold applications to the spine, stomach, and liver.

• Give 2 high enemas daily.

• If symptoms of heart failure appear, give a half teaspoon of cayenne in hot water. Have him drink it all down immediately. Repeat if necessary.

• Each day, clean all clothing and bed linens by boiling them.

• As he begins to recuperate, he can be given baked apples, potato peeling broth, fresh fruits, cooked vegetables, and soy milk.

• If properly cared for, the disease will end within 7-10 days.

• Do not give aspirin to a child or youth with a fever; it may result in death! (See "Reye's Syndrome.")