New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-17
DEALING WITH DTPHTHERIA.

The report or the Healln DOaru on TREATMENT
of diphtherla with antitoxin is highly suggestive,
II not entirely satisfactory. 1t covers the iirst
nine months Of the present year. and the CORE
sponding portions Of the four preceding years
In 1895 anttoxn has been manufactured In the
departments laboratory, and has been extensive
IL though By no means universally, used as
remedy for the disease In the preceding years
1, was of course not used Statistics in the re-
mort show that In the four years before the in
PRODUCTION of antitoxln the percentage OF cases
Of diphtheria terminating fatally ranged from
30 CT to 1874, and averaged 34.G3, while In 1872
under partial treatment with anttoxin 1t Tell
70 1943 That Is a reduction OF the death rate
by 1894 per cent. Had antitoxin been used,
therefore, in the four preceding years with such
effect as In 1892 more than 5000 lives would
have been saved
There is Just one circumstance in connection
with these figures which needs explaining. That
il the enormous increase In the number OF cases
OF diphtheria-or Of diphtheria and Group for
the report covers both-in the last two years.
In 1891 there were 1856; in 1892. 4,1j6. and In
1893 4721 The last was the largest number to
that date, and showed the highest death rate,
AZ "a per cent But In 1894, when antitoxln was
being Fundamentally used. the number Of cases
rose TO LAG. and the death rate fell TO 3O.GI;
and in 1SgJ with the new remedy extensively
administered. the number Of cases rose still
further TO 1921 and the death rate fell to 1913
There are doubtless many who will say that
since the introduction Of anttoxin great many
children suffering from light and trlning attacks
have been treated and reported rs suffering from
actual diphthcra. They have. Of course recov-
toxin. and thus have given that remedy credit
II does not deserve And this view OF the case
Is strengthened by the fact that the actual mum
Der Of deaths IN nine months or 1919 mas peeh
lob. or only trHe less than the average III the
four preceding years, which was l,'34
We do not say this criticism is well founded
II will be made, however. ana on the race VI INV
case will seem valid That the Health Board
and other advocates OF antltoxn VIII pe ap'e ~
meet 1t satisfactorily we sincerely nope ana pe
lieve A month ago. at the German Meu'c"'
Congress AT Liibeck. DR.. Behring, the pioneer
of antitoxin treatment. made an Interesting re-
nort ON The success Of his work. He showed
marked decrease in the death rate ana also III the
actual number of deaths. In one great pe'hn
hospital mortality from diphtherh WAS hi"'n
rodrced nc soon as antitoxin was used. and
nromptly rose again TO its former inquire Wh"h
because OF lack Of the remedy, that treatment
had 10 he suspended. He confidently renewed
his prediction that with the general use OF anti
toxin the death rate from dlphtherla would DE
reduced to per cent. He reported that OF inc
400 900 doses prepared by him not one had
proven poisonous or injurious. And he urged a
general system Of incubation, not merely Tor the
cure. but for the prevention of diphtheria 1t
may he added that his remarks were received
with favor and with wellnigh unanimous ap
proval by the medical profession of Germany
We trust that our own Health Board will be
able TO make an equally conclusive report