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1. For general prophylaxis against diphtheria in schools and
communities, excluding immediate contacts.
2. For immunisation of individuals not immediately exposed to
infection.
3. For immunisation of individuals exposed to diphtheria after
anti-toxin has been administered. The administration of toxin-antitoxin
should be delayed for at least two weeks after the serum injection.
The above description, mainly after Parke, Davis & Co., gives the
impression, perhaps, that the actual work is laborious; in actual
practice this is not so.
Diphtheria will never be got under in London until these steps
are taken.
In Deptford we supply diphtheria anti-toxin to any practitioner who
applies at the Town Hall for it. The demand is small, as cases are
usually sent at once into hospital.
The following leaflet is given to each family in a house where a
case has occurred:—
Metropolitan Borough of Deptford.
Important Notice concerning
DIPHTHERIA.
Diphtheria is a dangerous infectious disease caused by a germ which
settles on the tonsils and throat forming a bluish-white film or
membrane. The throat often becomes red, swollen and inflamed.
From the throat, poisons pass into the body causing sometimes
temporary paralysis of limbs or even death from heart failure. If a
case of diphtheria is recognised in the first day or two of illness and
hurriedly given serum (usually in hospital), then the patient generally
does well; but if there is delay in calling in the family doctor and the
case is not therefore given serum until the third or fourth day of illness,
then it may be serious.
Where one case occurs in a family, a second or third case frequently
occurs in the same house within the next week or two or even later.
It is most important therefore, when the first case occurs,
that the throats of all others in the house (the contacts) should
be examined either by the family doctor or by the Medical Officer of
Health, Public Health Department, Deptford Town Hall, New Cross
Road. (Contacts seeing the Medical Officer of Health should call at
the Town Hall between 10 and 11 a.m.). No charge is made for