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the early and only accurate diagnosis of diphtheria by means of
bacteriological examinations of the deposit on the throats of persons
removed to their hospitals, approached the Royal College of Surgeons
of England.
Doubtless it was felt that those patients who are sent to hospitals
and are found not to have the disease should be returned home, thus
making room for fresh cases; and should the anti.toxin treatment
come into general use the true cases retained would undergo this
specific treatment, "a form of treatment which is claimed to be successful
in proportion to the early recognition."
The Laboratories Committee of the Royal College of Surgeons
England, in its report of December 13th, stated, that on October 26th
a communication was received from the Metropolitan Asylums' Board
inquiring " whether the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
could afford the managers facilities for the bacteriological investigation
of doubtful cases of diphtheria which may be sent to the Board's
hospitals from time to time." The Committee agreed to undertake
the investigation on the following conditions:—(1.) That the investigation
be carried out by special persons to be appointed by the
Laboratories' Committee under the superintendence of the director,
Dr. G. Sims Woodhead. (2.) That the Metropolitan Asylums' Board
defray the expenses of the investigation, including the salaries of those
occupied in the work. The expenses, including the salary of a
bacteriologist and two assistants, were estimated to amount to about
£750 per annum. The Metropolitan Asylums' Board have agreed
to these conditions as a temporary arrangement for the period of six
months, and it is understood that the work will be commenced on
January 1st next. A daily average of twenty cases to be examined
and reported upon. On November 9th a further communication was
received from the Asylums' Board, asking whether the Royal Colleges
of Physicians and Surgeons would be willing to supply, and if so,
when and on what terms, diphtheria anti.toxin for use in the hospitals
of the Board. The Committee informed the Board that they would