The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-06
THE USE OF ANTI-TOXlN.
ITS IMPORTANCE IN THE TREAT
MENr OF CONTIGUOUS DISEASES.
Diphtheria no Longer to he breadeo-pr'
Bolton. q yirginisn, Does Naiuaoie Work
as Bscteriologist at philadelphia.

The division Of Pathology and Bacter-
ioIogv one of the branch departments OF
the Health Bureau in the city or Phila-
delnhia is relieving some valuable re-
volts not only in the interest or the pubic
health of that city, but also or the peo-
pie at large in this country. 1t Is steadl-
ly developing it's resources in such way
that IL will. undoubtedly before long,
prove Of much greater benefit to physi-
clans In their efforts to combat the raw
aces OF diphtheria and other dreaded con-
tagious diseases DR.. b. Meade Bolton,
who is a brother of Mr. Jackson Bolton.
one of the assistant engineers I'm Colonel
Cutshaw's office. is the Chief Bacteriol-
ogist and Director of the laboratory.
The Division OF Pathology and Bacteri-
ology, so established on the seventh floor
Of the City Hall Building. is a room that
Is filed with rabbits, guinea pigs, ana
mice These little animals form part OF
the equipment Of a comparatively new d.
vision Of the Health Bureau. and has
been in practical operation for about five
months only. but during that time. IL
has made over l,50o examinations Of diph-
liberia and other disease cultures sent to
its laboratory by physicians in different
parts OF the city for diagnosis.
\ circular issued by the Health Bureau
=
division specified that the scope OF the
work imposed upon it should be extend
ed. AS far as practical, 10 all questions
which affect the public health, relating
both 10 preventive and curative medicine.
the latter. as far as it included the prep
aration Of means for the prevention and
curtailment OF disease by such processes
as vaccination. the preparation and d.
rections FOR the use Of such material as
the anti-toxin OF diphtheria. sterlized SER
UNI of rabies, etc.
TO XAMiSr ALL CASTS.
The Bureau Of Health further directed
that, as soon as practicable after the es-
adjustment Of the laboratory. means
should be- adopted 10 prepare for use the
anti-toxin Of diphtheria after Behring's
or Rouss method. and that steps should
also be taken at once for the prompt
examination OF all specimens OF eXudate
from the Threats Of suspected cases of
diphtheria and a report made thereof
The physicians at lar.e have not failed
10 take advantage Of the facilities thus
afforded them for making prompt and re-
liable tests. According 10 the statement
OF DIR. Bolton. numbers OF physicians
have visited the rooms OF the Division
during the past few months 20 work up
their own cases, and have also volunteer
ed their assistance. DIT. Bottoms two reg
ular assistants are Dr. II. -. Pease, and
Or. Gillspie In addition 10 these there
are two laboratory helpers c. Dousherty
and William Rodgers. and a clerk, W
Borneman. The Division has three rooms
set aside for its work on the seventh
floor of the City Hall, two being used as
laboratories and third to hold the amt
mails that are used in making expert
ments.
xPTGfMFNTr, & WITH CULTURES.
The cultures. taken by physicians In
different parts Of the city from the
threats Of suspected diphtheria patients
are usually forwarded 10 the laboratory
through the police. each police station
being provided with the necessary cot
ton swats attached 10 aluminium wires
and encased in narrow glass tubes. about
five inches long. and into which the cul-
lures are placed. These swabs and tubes
are distributed gratis 10 doctors upon ag-
plication. It Is generally conceded that
a clinical observation is not sufficient to
determine if a case is or is not diphtheria.
"a meteorological examination being me-
cessary. The phy stefan having provided
himself with the outfit, wipes off some of
the eNudate from the patients throat.
and rubs IL over the surface OF the swab.
and then applies 10 20 the culture medium
encased in a glass tube and consisting
of bullion and coagulated blood serum.
The cultures are then sealed and sent
10 DR. Bolton. accompanied by a blank
label, which is filled out by the physi-
clan. who writes his own and the pa
tents name and address, together with
answers 10 a number OF printed queries
regarding the case. The cultures general