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"We have had, in fact, somewhat better results to record for
1896 than we had for 1895; and, in view of the extended
experience gained during the past year, together with the additional
facts concerning the post scarlatinal cases for 1896, we feel that we
are fully justified in the favourable opinion we expressed last year
on the value of anti-toxin in the treatment of Diphtheria.
"We would repeat what we stated last year as to the paramount
importance of commencing the treatment early—if possible, not
later than the second day of the disease. From this time onward
the chance of a successful issue will diminish in proportion to the
length of time which has elapsed before the treatment is commenced.
This, though true of other methods, is of still greater
moment in the case of treatment by anti-toxin.
"We have already drawn attention to the trivial nature of the
secondary effects that not infrequently arise as a direct result of
the injection of anti-toxic serum, and we think that neither these
effects nor the increased incidence of some of the usual complications
are worthy of being considered practical deterrents when
the beneficial results of the treatment are remembered.
"We have only to add that we still hold to the opinion that
in the anti-toxic serum we possess a remedy of distinctly—we
would not say much—greater value in the treatment of Diphtheria
than any other with which we are acquainted."
The Managers of the Metropolitan Asylums Board state in
their Annual Report, 1897, that the same improvement has
occurred in the Diphtheria cases treated by anti-toxin.
Whooping Cough. Reference to Table No. 3 will show
that 19 children died from this disease in the district, benig a