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on the subject of provision of diphtheria anti-toxin by Metropolitan Borough
Councils for immediate use in the case of persons attacked by diphtheria
or exposed to infection from that disease. The Committee reported to the
Council as follows : —
"As the Council is aware, swabbings are taken by medical
practitioners from the throats of suspected cases of diphtheria by
means of outfits provided by the Council, and these are sent to the
Lister Institute for bacteriological examination. This is done with
a view to prevention of removal of cases to the Metropolitan
Asylums Board Infectious Diseases Hospitals of patients not
suffering from infectious disease, and necessarily involves some
delay in removal. In case of diphtheria, immediate treatment with
anti-toxin is essential to reduce the risk of a fatal termination, and
the Local Government Board Anti-Toxin Order authorises the
provision of a temporary supply of diphtheria anti-toxin, and of
medical assistance in connection therewith for the poorer inhabitants
of the Borough. We are of opinion such provision should be
made."
The Committee recommended the Council:—
" That diphtheria anti-toxin be supplied in accordance with the
diphtheria anti-toxin (London) Order, 1910, and the letter of the
Local Government Board of the 15th August, 1910."
Medical Practitioners.
Metropolitan Borough of Poplar,
Public Health Offices,
Bow Road (corner of Fairfield Road), E.
October, 1910.
Dear Sir,
Provision of Diphtheria Anti-toxin.
With the view of facilitating the prompt use of diphtheria antitoxin
in the cases of persons who may be attacked by, or exposed
to, the infection of the disease, the Local Government Board have
made an Order under Section 77 of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, sanctioning the provision by the Borough Council of a
temporary supply of diphtheria anti-toxin, and I am directed by the
Council to forward you the enclosed particulars of the arrangements
which have been made for its supply for the use of medical practitioners
in the Borough.