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92
"Hence last year there was a fall both in the amount,
and the fatality of diphtheria in the Metropolis as compared
with 1896" (Lancet).
The following is a copy of a letter received from the
Managers of the Asylums Board in reference to a supply
of anti-toxic scrum being sent out to the Metropolitan
Medical Officers of Health for distribution amongst Medical
Practitioners in the District when their patients, suffering
from diphtheria, are unable to obtain admission into the
Board's hospitals:—
Norfolk House,
Victoria Embankment, W.C.
21 st December, 1897.
Dear Sir,
You are probably aware that for some time past the
Managers have been in the habit of distributing, through their Medical
Superintendents, a supply of anti-toxic serum for the use of patients
suffering from diphtheria, who are unable to obtain admission into
the Board's hospitals.
Under the existing arrangement a "warrant for the gratuitous
supply of anti-toxic serum is forwarded from this office to every
general practitioner who is unable to obtain the immediate removal
of a case of diphtheria to hospital, and this warrant is despatched by
post from this office to the Medical Practitioner immediately it is
distinctly ascertained that the patient cannot be received into one of
the Board's hospitals.
The Managers however have reason to believe that in some cases
(from causes beyond their control), delay has occurred before antitoxin
is in the hands of the Medical Practitioner, and they think that
its distribution may in many cases be accelerated by placing a supply
in the hands of the several Metropolitan Medical Officers of Health,
as well as in the hands of the Board's Medical Superintendents.
With this object I am directed to enquire, whether in the event of
pressure upon the Boards accommodation again necessitating the
temporary refusal of diphtheria cases, you will be willing to receive
and distribute the serum in the manner proposed ? Should you be