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17
Report on
ANTI-TOXIC TREATMENT of DIPHTHERIA.
(Adopted by the Vestry on August 3rd, 1899.)
It. is now generally admitted, by those best able to form
an opinion, that the Anti-toxic treatment of Diphtheria
gives the best results of all treatments, as shewn not only
by the lowering of the mortality from, but also by the
amelioration of the symptoms of, that particular disease.
Statistics published by the Metropolitan Asylums Board
shew that, if the Anti-toxin is injected in the very earliest
stages of the disease, the mortality is reduced considerably,
as follows : —
Cases treated on first day, mortality reduced from 22.5
to 4.7 per cent.
Cases treated on second day, mortality reduced from
27 to 12.8 per cent.
Cases treated on third day, mortality reduced from 29'4
to 17.7 per cent.
Cases treated on fourth day, mortality reduced from
31.6 to 22.5 per cent.
Cases treated on fifth day, mortality reduced from
30.8 to 24.6 per cent.
Of all the cases treated, the mortality has been reduced
from 29.6 to 20.8 per cent.
The results are more remarkable when examined from
the point of view of the patients' ages. Thus:
Under 5 years of age, the mortality has been reduced
from 47.4 to 30.2 per cent.
Under 10 years of age, the mortality has been reduced
from 37.2 to 24.6 per cent.
Under 15 years of age, the mortality has been reduced
from 33.6 to 22.6 per cent.
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