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118
RELATIVE TO THE SUPPLY OF DIPHTHERIA
ANTI-TOXIN SERUM.
13th December, 1910.
In accordance with the instructions of the Committee, I beg
to report on the recent order issued by the Local Government
Board under the provisions of Section 77 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, sanctioning the provision of a temporary supply
of diphtheria anti-toxin serum and of medical assistance in connection
therewith by sanitary authorities.
The Order provides that the arrangements with respect to
the keeping, distribution and use of the diphtheria anti-toxin are
to be made in accordance with the advice of the Medical Officer of
Health. In cases in which the patient is under the care of a medical
practitioner, the latter should in ordinary circumstances, be the
person to administer the anti-toxin. In the circular letter of the
Board, accompanying the Order, the Board state that the Council
should take into consideration the possible requirements in this
connection of the Poor Law Medical Officers, who should, in the
event of the Council availing themselves of the powers now given
them, be able to obtain frnm the Council the anti-toxin they may
require from time to time for use in connection with patients under
their care.
The Board further draw attention, in the letter referred to, to
the advantages which may be derived form the prompt administration
of anti-toxin before the patient is removed to hospital,
but that the free provision of anti-toxin sanctioned by the Order
is not to be regarded as a substitute for removal to hospital of a
patient suffering from diphtheria. The duties of the Medical
Officer of Health are to be deemed to extend to and include all
action by him in the execution of this Order (Art. II.) and provision
is made for the payment by the Council to the Medical Officer of
Health of reasonable compensation for such action taken by him.
The arrangements which the Council may make for the supply of
diphtheria anti-toxin should be brought to the knowledge of all
medical practitioners practising within their jurisdiction, and in
any circular letter which Council may send out to medical practitioners
it is desirable that emphasis should be laid on the importance
of prompt treatment by anti-toxin, and on the saving of life which
may thereby be effected.
The new Order has been anticipated so far as the provision and
distribution of diphtheria anti-toxin serum to medical practitioners