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11
It cannot be too strongly urged that in all cases of throat
illness bacteriological examination of the throat secretions should
be made at the earliest possible moment, and that pending such
examination antitoxin should at once be administered. No ill
result from such administration can occur in cases which are found
on examination afterwards not to be diphtheria, but the time
gained in cases of diphtheria by such early administration is of the
very greatest importance in checking at its early stages the virulence
of this disease.
The earlier diphtheria is diagnosed the better it is for the
patient so that adequate treatment can be given, isolation carried
out, and for the prevention of any extension of this disease. Extension
of the disease means not only risk of life to those attacked,
but it also means increase in cost of hospital treatment for such
cases. One of the largest items in the treatment of such cases
is that of antitoxin, and it is not unusual for a patient sent in
to the Hospital after the disease is established to cost over £5 for
antitoxin alone. It is well to emphasise the fact that before the
employment of antitoxin the mortality rate was over 40 per cent.
of actual cases ; to-day that rate has fallen to between 4 and 5
per cent. But in these lower rates are included cases which are
not recognised in their early stages as being diphtheria, and so
miss early treatment.
With regard to the early diagnosis of tuberculosis, here again
the examination of sputum is of the utmost assistance to the
Medical Practitioners, and consequently to the material advantage
of the sufferers.
It will be seen from the report of page 16 to what extent this
valuable service is used in the District, and the Council desires
that the very fullest use shall be made of the facilities so afforded
for the diagnosis of certain bacterial diseases.