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52
be given. The large numbers of cases to be isolated, in
London, have at times baffled the officials of the Asylums
Board Hospitals, and rendered it necessary to refuse
removal except in the very worst and most urgent cases,
with the result that many cases have had to be treated at
home.
The beneficial effect of the antitoxin treatment in Hospital
is beginning to be felt, as shewn by the lessened death
rate, or case mortality, in Hospital-treated patients; whilst
those Experts who are best able to form an opinion, speak
in decided terms as to the value of the antitoxic serum as a
prophyllactic, or preventative—a most important conclusion
to have come to. The Vestry is to be congratulated upon
having decided to supply, free of charge, antitoxin to all
the medical practitioners attending patients in Lambeth
Parish—a decision come to at the Meeting of the Vestry,
held on August 3rd, 1899. The antitoxin is made up
in glass bottles, each containing 1,500 units (Behring) and
being wrapped round with full directions as to use, etc.
Up to the end of the year (i.e., during a period of 4 months).
69 bottles have been gratuitously distributed in Lambeth,
with the following results:—
No. of vials given out, 69
No. of cases treated with antitoxin, 53
Results
Successful, 52
Unsuccessful, 1
There was one serious outbreak of Diphtheria in connection
with a school in Ferndale Road, necessitating closure,
and the thorough overhauling of the sanitary arrangements,
and drains. Full details of this outbreak are to be found
on pp. 127-128.