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and, having regard to the importance of the matter, the Board suggested
that at an early date the Council should consider with the Medical
Officer of Health what arrangements should be made for the provision
of anti-toxin and for its use both as a prophylactic and a curative
agency. They stated that in cases in which a patient is under the care
of a medical practitioner the latter should, in ordinary circumstances, be
the person to administer the anti-toxin.
The Board suggested that the Council in considering the matter
should take into special account the possible requirements of the Poor
Law Medical Officers, as it appeared to the Board to be desirable
where the Council avail themselves of the powers now given them, that
the Poor Law Medical Officers should be able to obtain from the store
of the Council the anti-toxin which they may require from time to time
for use in connection with patients under their care.
It was also suggested that to prevent misapprehension it should be
observed that the free provision of diphtheria anti-toxin which is
authorised by the Order must not be regarded as a substitute for
removal to hospital of a patient suffering from diphtheria, nor as
implying that the patient to whom the anti-toxin has been administered
may properly be retained for treatment at home, unless means are
available for his efficient isolation to the satisfaction of the Medical
Officer of Health.
The Board added that the prompt administration of anti-toxin before
the patient is removed to hospital may, especially if delay in removal is
inevitable, go far towards preventing the attack of diphtheria from being
fatal; that by Article II of the Order the duties of the Medical Officer
of Health are to be deemed to extend to and include all action by the
Medical Officer of Health in the execution of the Order, and Article III
provides for the payment by the Council to the Medical Officer of
Health of reasonable compensation for such action taken by him; that
the arrangements which the Council may make for the supply of
diphtheria anti-toxin should be brought to the knowledge of all medical
practitioners practising within their jurisdiction; and that in any
circular letter which the Council send out to medical practitioners it is
desirable that emphasis should be laid on the importance of prompt
treatment by anti-toxin and of the saving of life which may thereby be
effected.
The Council resolved to avail themselves of the powers given, and the
following letter was sent to medical men practising in Westminster:—-
"Provision of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin.
"The Local Government Board having made an Order sanctioning
the provision of a temporary supply of diphtheria anti-toxin, for use in