[Principles of treatment and nursing of children with diphtheria (author's transl)].

The principles of treatment of diphtheria are discussed: in the present epidemic situation, diphtheritic children must be admitted to a pediatric hospital. The children need at least 3 to 4 weeks, to a large extent strict, bed rest. The basic concepts of the treatment of both peripheral circulatory weaknesses and of myocardial damage are communicated. Glucocorticoids have proved their value in myocarditis. Prophylactic digitalization is to be rejected. Confirmed heart failure is a binding indication for digitalization. A causal therapy for para- and metadiphtheritic paralysis does not exist. All forms must be treated with antibiotics nowadays. In croup, tracheotomy must not be delayed too long. The nursing must be left the best staff only and requires, in addition to a fundamental knowledge of the disease picture, an exceptional empathy in the particular, especially psychic, situation of the sick children.