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(1) Type of Case.
The serum was given in cases which on admission showed
some or all the following symptoms:—
(1) Marked general erythema; (2) marked infection of throat
with dirty tonsils; (3) enlarged sub-maxillary glands; (4)
Rhinorrhoea; (5) abnormal high temperature.
(2) Method of Administration.
The serum was given intra-muscularly in the thigh. The
quantity of serum given for a single dose was 10 c.c., though some
cases received 20 c.c. at first, those who had an initial dose of
10 c.c. often had a second injection of 10 c.c. within 24 hours.
(3) Rashes.
Twenty-one cases showed serum rashes either general or
limited to the site of injection, which was either scarlatiniform,
morbilliform or urticarial and lasted 2 to 3 days leaving no staining.
Ten cases of serum illness occurred amongst the serum
treated cases (7 males and 3 females); these cases in addition to
a rash had one or other of the following symptoms:—
(1) Temperature for 2 to 5 days.
(2) Puffiness of the eyes and lips.
(3) Vomiting.
(4) Joint pains with swelling.
No cases of serum illness occurred in the 224 cases treated
with serum in 1931.
(4) Influence of Serum on course of disease.
This might be considered as follows:—
(a) Effect on Temperature.
The temperature came down rapidly after serum administration
but in some cases the fall was more gradual, taking 2-6 days
to reach normal. With the fall of the temperature the patients
stated they felt better and the throat condition improved.
(b) Length of Stay in Hospital.
Serum treated cases: 40 days.
Non-serum treated cases: 41.7 days.