_Decidedly_. Therefore, when practicable, the rest of the children ought instantly to be removed to a distance. I say _children_, for it is emphatically a disease of childhood. When adults have it, it is the exception and not the rule: "Thus it will be seen, in the account given of the Boulogne epidemic, that of 366 deaths from this cause, 341 occurred amongst children under ten years of age. In the Lincolnshire epidemic, in the autumn of 1858, all the deaths at Horncastle, 25 in number, occurred amongst children under twelve years of age." [Footnote: _Diphtheria_: by Ernest Hart. A valuable pamphlet on the subject. Dr Wade of Birmingham has also written an interesting and useful monograph on Diphtheria. I am indebted to the above authors for much valuable information.] 210. _What are the causes of Diphtheria_? Bad and imperfect drainage; [Footnote: "Now all my carefully conducted inquiries induce me to believe that the disease comes from drain-poison. All the cases into which I could fully inquire, have brought conviction to my mind that there is a direct law of sequence in some peculiar conditions of atmosphere between diphtheria and bad drainage; and, if this be proved by subsequent investigations, we may be able to prevent a disease which, in too many cases, our known remedies cannot cure."--W. Carr, Esq., Blackheath, _British Medical Journal_, December 7, 1861.] want of ventilation; overflowing privies; low neighbourhoods in the vicinity of rivers; stagnant waters; indeed, everything that vitiates the air, and thus depresses the system, more especially if the weather be close and muggy; poor and, improper food; and last, though not least, contagion. Bear in mind, too, that a delicate child is much more predisposed to the disease than a strong one. 211. _What is the treatment of Diptheria_? _What to do_--Examine well into the ventilation, for as diphtheria is frequently caused by deficient ventilation, the best remedy is thorough ventilation. Look well both to the drains and to the privies, and see that the drains from the water-closets and from the privies do not in any way contaminate the pump-water. If the drains be defective or the privies be full, the disease in your child will be generated, fed, and fostered. Not only so, but the disease will spread in your family and all around you. Keep the child to his bedroom and to his bed. For the first two or three days, while the fever runs high, put him on a low diet, such as milk, tea, arrow root, &c. Apply to his throat every four hours a warm barm and oatmeal poultice. If he be old enough to have the knowledge to use a gargle, the following will be found serviceable-- Take of--Permanganate of Potash, pure, four grams, Water eight ounces To make a Gargle Or, Take of--Powdered Alum, one drachm, Simple Syrup one ounce, Water, seven ounces To make a Gargle The best medicine for the first few days of the attack, is the following mixture--