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26
The conditions prevailing in the Borough are on the whole favourable to this
disease, and diphtheria is relatively more prevalent in Shoreditch than in the rest of
London:—

The administrative measures taken in regard to the disease are as follows:—
The isolation of the patient. With one exception all cases were removed
to Hospital for treatment. It is most important that diphtheria antitoxin
should be administered at the earliest possible moment, and this is done
on arrival at the Fever Hospital, which is usually within an hour of the doctor
telephoning particulars of the case. If for any reason the case is to be treated
at home or is not to be immediately removed to hospital, anti-toxin can be
obtained from the Public Health Department by the doctor in charge of the
case. Disinfection of the house is carried out as in the case of scarlet fever,
particular attention being paid to all articles put into the mouth, e.g., spoons,
forks, etc. It is advised that these should be boiled after use if there has been
a case in the home.
Those who have been exposed to infection are advised regarding early symptoms
and of the importance of obtaining medical aid.
The fact that the germ causing diphtheria can be detected in the throats of those
suffering from, and in certain cases of those who have recovered from the disease,
is of value in its administrative control for the following reasons :—The diagnosis
of doubtful cases is rendered less difficult, diagnosis may in some instances be made
more rapidly ; individuals may be discovered who, though they are not themselves
ill, are harbouring the germs in their throats and are thus a source of infection to
others. During the year the number of bacteriological examinations made for the
purpose of detecting the diphtheria bacillus numbered 845.

In 22 instances there was evidence pointing to infection from a previous case.