DIPHTHERIA

(Lat.), n. f. Di2f-the(the2)'ri2-a3. From fii^Wpa, a tanned hide. Fr., diphtherie, diphtherite. Ger., Diphtherie, Diphtheritis. It., difterite, difteria. Sp., difteria. An acute, infectious disease, characterized by the formation of a membranous, fibrinous, whitish, or grayish deposit at the seat of infection, either occupying the superficial portion of a mucous membrane or forming a membranous coating on a wound. The characteristic lesion generally affects the throat, and often the nasal pa ages and the larynx; occasionally the conjunctiva, the bladder, or the uterus. D. begins with high fever, which is usually of short duration, after which the predominant phenomena are depre ion of the vital powers, impeded respiration in laryngeal cases, and symptoms referable to the absorption of septic material from the seat of the lesion. D. is often accompanied by nephritis and is apt to be followed by various forms of motor paralysis. The laryngeal form of the disease constitutes the great majority of cases of the so-called membranous croup of children. One attack of d. confers no immunity against subsequent attacks. Asthenic d. A condition in which, with subsidence of the pronounced symptoms of d., there may exist gradual failure of the vital forces caused by the progre ive impoverishment and poisoning of the blood. Kidney complications, albuminuria, and cardiac weakne are among the symptoms, [a, 25.] Benign d. Fr., diphtherite benigne. A mild form of d., usually manifesting itself only on the tonsils and showing no tendency to spread. [D, 74.] Buccal d. Fr., diphtherite buccale. Ger., diphtherische Mundentziindung, Mundfdule. 1. D. of the mucous membrane of the cheeks or gums. 2. Of Hutch in son, Trou eau, and Bouchut. ulcerative stomatitis. [D.] Catarrhal d. 1. See Superficial d. 2. A form of amygdalitn resembling and often mistaken for d.; characterized by injection and superficial inflammation of the tonsils and posterior pharyngeal wall, with slight exudation composed mainly of epithelium. [D, 25.] Conjunctiva! d. See Diphtheritic CONJUNCTIVITIS. Croupal d., Croupous d. " D. with the local symptoms of croup." D. of the larynx giving rise to symptoms of croup. [D, 1.] Cutaneous d. Fr., diphtherite cutanee. A phase of d. characterized by the formation of false membrane upon any denuded cutaneous surface. [D, 40.] Deep d. See Parenchymatous d. D. circumseripta. Syn.: Sand ring ham sore throat. A form of disease characterized by a circumscribed, ash-colored slough on the tonsil, forming a centre from which the surrounding structures are invaded by a low form of inflammation, sometimes with swelling extending to the angle of the jaw. In fatal cases death takes place by asthenia following rapid and extreme exhaustion, sometimes with convulsions. [A. E. Barrett, "Brit. Med. Jour.," July 23, 1887, p. 176.] D. genitaliuin. D. of the genitals in women, especially after childbirth. Cf. Puerperal d. D. of the mouth. Ger., Divhtheritis der Mundhohle. See Buccal d. D. of the vulva. A variety frequently occurring during the endemic or epidemic prevalence of d. It is usually accompanied by some local adenitis. The whole perineal area may become involved. [Billing ton (a, 25).] D. of wounds. An appearance of granulations resembling true d. but not nece arily due to diphtheritic infection; supposed by some to be identical with hospital gangrene. [E, 25.] Inflammatory d. D. in which the inflammatory symptoms are intense and extensive. High temperature, marked adenitis, and a deep, parenchymatous false membrane are usually present, [a, 25.] Intestinal d. Involvement of the mucous membrane of any part of the small or large intestine by diphtheritic deposit, [a, 25.] taryngeal d. Fr., diphtherie laryngee. That form of d. which affects the larynx. It often causes dangerous stenosis, especially in infants. [D, 1.] Laryngo-traeheal d. An extension of d. from the pharynx downward. Sometimes the proce commences in the trachea, inO, no; O, not; O, whole; Th, thin; Th, the; U, like oo in [s. 585]