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The importance of injecting the serum early is proved to the hilt in
the above figures, and as no harm can accrue to the patients if ordinary
antiseptic precautions are taken, a dose of the Antitoxin should be given
at once in every suspicious case. I keep a supply of fresh serum from
the Jenner Institute, and medical practitioners can have it by applying
at my private residence any time of the day or night.
The Prophylactic Use of Diphtheria Antitoxin is especially
indicated where a case or cases of Diphtheria occur among susceptible
individuals who are more or less closely associated, as, for
example, in families, schools, and institutions. Under such conditions,
as soon as the primary case is recognised, all those who in any way
may have come in contact with it, or better still, all the susceptible
individuals in the institution, should without delay be injected with a
dose of Diphtheria Antitoxin.
Many records have now been published as to the efficacy of
prophylactic injections as a preventive. The Health Department of
Burton-upon-Trent have issued a circular to the medical men of the
district, emphasising the value of Antitoxin as a preventive. In the
combined rural districts of Chelmsford, and Maldon there were
24 families in which cases of Diphtheria antitoxon occurred. The remaining
unaffected members of these families comprised 144 individuals, and
to 136 of these prophylactic injections of Diphtheria were given, and
among this number only a single doubtful case of Diphtheria occurred.
Of the eight uninjected individuals, three subsequently developed
Diphtheria.
In a Convalescent Home containing 38 children, three consecutive
cases of Diphtheria occurred. The remaining 35 children were each
injected with Diphtheria Antitoxin (334 units each), and no further
case developed.
With regard to the amount of Diphtheria Antitoxin required for
prophylactic purposes, probably, as a minimum, 300 units should be
given to children, and 500 units to adults.
Although the immunity induced by the injection is rapidly acquired,
probably within a few hours it slowly passes off, and cannot be regarded
as lasting for more than three weeks.