The Diphtheria Scourge in Western Illinois.
The diphtheria has been raging throughout the country to an alarming extent, and seems, to a great extent, to baffle the skill of physicians. It is confined almost exclusively to children, and when once under headway, death is almost certain to be the result. It will pass through whole towns, missing scarcely a family, and in some instances whole families of children have been swept away by it. Our neighboring town of Moline, a place formerly remarkable for its healthiness, has been sadly affected by this disease for the past four or five months. In that time some 100 children have been swept off, and it is still raging to some extent. The parents in such a time become terrified, and call their children in and keep them housed up, hardly daring to let them breathe the fresh air, for fear the fell destroyer will take them away; but this practice has been proven to be the very worst one; for the little ones, being deprived of the necessary exercise and fresh air, are almost sure to be the next victims. We have noticed that those children who are allowed to rough it, in doors and out doors, just as they may desire, are the ones who escape. It is certainly a terrible disease, but parents should not allow fear to get the better of their judgment, but should pursue a reasonable, thoughtful course, and save their "little pets" from its fearful ravages.—Rock Island Argus.