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The Board also urged immediate action with regard to the provision of the
Anti-Toxin, and for its use both as a prophylactic and as a curative agent,
and having regard to the effect that the prompt use of the Diphtheria AntiToxin
in cases of persons who may be attacked by Diphtheria, or exposed to
infection of that disease, is of the utmost importance, often preventing a
fatal termination to an otherwise hopeless case. I recommended that a supply
of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin be issued at the direction of the Medical Officer of
Health to medical practitioners in the City, and that a circular letter be
addressed to them informing them of the new departure, and emphasizing the
importance of the prompt administration of the Anti-Toxin and the saving in
life which may thereby be effected.
These suggestions were agreed to, and arrangements have been made
with a City firm whereby, upon the production of an order from the Medical
Officer of Health, any medical practitioner in the City would receive a
supply of Anti-Toxin free of charge.
This method is, in my opinion, superior to holding a supply in the office
where proper facilities for storing are not forthcoming, and as the quantity
used will in all probability be small, there would be every possibility of
serious deterioration in the Anti-Toxin quality of the serum.
The free provision of Anti-Toxin must not in any way be regarded as a
substitute for removal to hospital of a patient suffering from Diphtheria, nor
as implying that the patient to whom such has been administered may properly
be detained for treatment at home, unless means for efficient isolation to the
satisfaction of the Medical Officer of Health are available.
In cases where isolation, in the opinion of the Medical Officer of Health, is
insufficient, the patient must, as heretofore, be removed to the hospital.
The following is a copy of the circular letter issued to the medical
practitioners in the City.
Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (London) Order, 1910.
To Medical Practitioners in the City of London.
"Notice is hereby given that the Corporation of London has
"decided, in view of the above Order, to make provision for facilitating
"the prompt use of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin in the case of poorer persons
"residing in the City who may be attacked by Diphtheria or exposed to
"the infection of that disease, and has accordingly arranged for the
"supply of such Anti-Toxin, free of charge, to medical men practising
"in the City, for use either as a prophylactic or as a curative agent.
"It should be noted that the free provision of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin
"must not be regarded as a substitute for removal to hospital of a
"patient suffering from Diphtheria, nor as implying that the patient to