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Anti-toxin Treatment.
Anti-toxin if promptly given is a very potent remedy against
diphtheria. Unfortunately, such circumstances as failure to
summon medical aid at the onset of the disease or waiting for
bacteriological confirmation of the diagnosis before anti-toxin is
given, are reasons which render anti-toxin non-effective as a cure.
Diphtheria anti-toxin in phials containing 8,000 units for
treatment and 500 units for prophylactic purposes is available
free of charge to medical practitioners during the day and night
at the Town Hall and at the Dulwich Baths. In 1935, 137 phials
of 8,000 units and 18 phials of 500 units of anti-toxin were issued to
medical practitioners. The efficiency of the L.C.C. ambulance
service, which ensures the rapid transport of patients to Isolation
Hospital where anti-toxin is given on arrival, probably explains
the small amount issued during the year by the local authority.
Scarlet Fever.
There were 605 cases of scarlet fever notified in 1935, as compared
with 916 in 1934. The number of patients removed to
Isolation Hospitals for treatment was 521. Thirty-one patients
were subsequently discharged as not suffering from this disease.
" Return " cases numbered 20. There was one death from this
disease during the year. This disease is at present so mild in type
that it is not considered worth while to provide facilities for
immunisation nor to arrange for the removal of patients to hospital
where proper facilities are available at home for isolation and
treatment.
Enteric Fever (including Paratyphoid).
During the year under review 2 cases of typhoid fever and
6 cases of paratyphoid fever were notified. All of these cases
were removed to hospital. One patient was subsequently found
to he suffering from dysentery and another patient was regarded
as not suffering from typhoid or paratyphoid fever. There were
no deaths.