Acute Infectious Diseases

Abstract

This book embodies the experience of one who has had exceptional opportunities of studying the acute infectious diseases. It will be found thoroughly practical and helpful to those who are engaged in medical practice; from the student's point of view the absence of illustrations and temperature charts detracts very much from its value. Differential diagnosis is not sufficiently dealt with, and on the whole the book will appeal more to the experienced medical man than to the beginner.

Hereditary neuropathy and vocal cord paralysis in a man with childhood diphtheria

“…17 After an incubation period of 2-6 days, the disease begins as a severe throat infection, with development of an extensive pseudomembrane. 17,18,27 The earliest neurological symptoms usually occur 1-4 weeks thereafter, with paralysis of the soft palate and decreased palatopharyngeal sensation. This results in nasal voice, nasal regurgitation of liquids, and loss of the velopalatine reflex.…”

“…The overall incidence of neuropathy in the setting of diphtheria is about 21%, 18,27 and is reduced by early and appropriate treatment of the pharyngitis. 12 Motor dysfunction is prominent, involving both proximal and distal muscles.…”

“…17,18,27 Rolleston found some degree of laryngeal involvement in 14% of 3000 consecutive cases, based on clinical assessment. 27 However, relatively few studies report direct visualization of vocal cords.…”

“…17,18,27 Rolleston found some degree of laryngeal involvement in 14% of 3000 consecutive cases, based on clinical assessment. 27 However, relatively few studies report direct visualization of vocal cords. In 140 cases of cutaneous diphtheria seen during World War II, Gaskill et al reported 61 individuals with some form of peripheral nerve involvement, of which 21 had cranial nerve palsies but only 1 had "laryngeal" weakness.…”

Primary Diphtheritic Otitis Media: Review of the Literature and Report of a Case

“…In a recent study2 of 1,433 cases of bacteriologically proved diphtheria, primary diphtheritic otitis media was diagnosed in only 5 patients. This number accounts for 0.3% of all types of diphtheria.…”