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18
The last Report of the Metropolitan Asylums Board
shews that 80 per cent, of the Diphtheria cases sent to
hospital were treated with Anti-toxin, and it is only fair,
therefore, that the same means should be adopted whereby
all cases might be treated in the same way as early as
possible, not only those cases that will eventually be
removed to hospital, but also those remaining for treatment
at their homes.
The average dose for injection is 1,000 units, and the
cost of ihis is Is., or slightly less. Taking the Lambeth
statistics, the annual average of Notification Certificates
received in respect of Diphtheria and Membranous Croup
for the eight years 1890-7 is 588 ; whilst during last year,
1898, the total number of Notification Certificates received
was 829, and 65-8 per cent, of these latter cases were
removed into horpital. The corresponding annual average
of deaths from the two diseases mentioned is 122, with a
total of 115 during 1898.
Assuming 600 as a fair average of cases notified yearly,
the cost to ihe Vestry to supply (for the treatment of all the
cases) Anti-tox c Serum gratuitously to the Medical
Practitioners in Lambeth would be only £30, and I advise,
accordingly, the gratuitous distribution to members of the
Medical Profession (in Lambeth) of Anti-toxic Serum for
the treatment of patients (living in Lambeth) notified as
suffering from Diphtheria; whilst 1 also suggest that means
should be adopted for the same Medical Practitioners to be
supplied with Serum at a charge of Is. per 1000 units tube,
for use in the treatment of their patients who do not reside
in the Parish.
Joseph Priestley,
Medical Officer of Health.
July 24th, 1899.