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The anti-diphtheritic serum is obtained from the Lister Institute of
Preventive Medicine, whose directions are as follows :—
PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED WHEN USING
ANTI-DIPHTHERITIC SERUM.
1. For Prophylaxis it is recommended that i c.c. be injected in the
case of healthy children or adults exposed to infection.
In cases of moderate severity, treated daring the first three
days of the disease, a dose of 2,000 units is suftcient. In
more advanced cases and in all severe cases, 4,000 units
should be injected, and the dose repeated if necessary.
2. The serum should be introduced into the subcutaneous tissue of
the abdominal wall. The syringe, both before and after use,
should be thoroughly washed with cold water, then boiled
for five minutes.
3. The skin should be washed and disinfected according to the
ordinary principles of antisepsis.
4. Joint pains and rashes of various types accompanied by rise of
temperature sometimes occur after the injection. These
need cause no apprehension.
5. It is important that a baceriological diagnosis be made in each
case. Specially prepared tubes and boxes for the forwarding
of specimens may be obtained on application at the Public
Health Department, Town Hall. Richmond. The membra
e may also be forwarded in sterilised glass tubes or
between folds of dry lint or blotting paper.
I would remind you that specially prepared tubes and boxes are
also kept at the Public Health Department, Town Hall, for obtaining and
forwarding specimens of pus, blood, &c., for the bacterioscopic diagnosis
of suspected cases of Enteric Fever.
The expenses of the bacterioscopic examinations in Diphtheria and
Enteric fever are defrayed by the Corporation.
Believe me, dear Sir,
Yours faithfully
J. H. CROCKER, M.D., D.P.H.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Dr
Erysipelas.
Eighteen cases were notified as compared with 16
for the previour year. One death was registered as
due to this disease.