View report page

52
During the year 15 cases (i.e. 7.2 per cent.) notified as diphtheria
and removed to hospital were found not to be suffering from the
disease and were discharged to their homes.
Three hundred and ninety-four bacteriological examinations
of suspected cases of dipthheria we re made during 1911 as compared
with 410 in 1910, and 628 in 1909. In 96 a positive and in 298 a
negative result was obtained.
Provision of Diphtheria Antitoxin.
The Local Government Board made an Order dated 15th
August, 1910, sanctioning the provision by the Councils of Metropolitan
Boroughs of a temporary supply of Diphtheria antitoxin
and of medical attendance in connection therewith. The Board
issued a Circular letter with the Order in which they point out that
the object they had in view was to facilitate the prompt use of
diphtheria antitoxin in the case of persons who may be attacked
by diphtheria or exposed to the infection of the disease. The
arrangements with respect to the keeping, distribution and use
of the diphtheria antitoxin were to be made in accordance with
the advice of the Medical Officer of Health. In considering the
matter the Council should take into special account the possible
requirements of the Poor Law Medical Officers, as it appears to
the Board to be desirable, where the Council avail themselves of the
powers now given them, that the Poor Law Medical Officers should
be able to obtain from the store of the Council the antitoxin which
they may require from time to time for use in connection with
patients under their care.
To prevent misapprehension it should be observed that the
free provision of diphtheria antitoxin which is authorised by the
Order must not be regarded as a substitute for removal to hospital
of a patient suffering from diphtheria nor as implying that the
patient to whom the antitoxin has been administered may properly
be retained for treatment at home unless means are available
for his efficient isolation to the satisfaction of the Medical Officer
of Health.
The prompt administration of antitoxin before the patient is
removed to hospital may especially if delay in removal is inevitable,
go far towards preventing the attack of diphtheria from being
fatal.
The Council considered the Board's Order and the report of the
Medical Officer of Health (vide appendix) thereon in January, 1911.
when they resolved" to adjourn consideration of the whole matter
for a period of six months,"