Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-21
ANTI-TOXIN.
State Board of Health Recommends
Its Use by Physicians.
Ncu.raizes Poison OF Diphtheria and Lessons
Resulting Paralysis.

The State board Of health is sending to
physicians circular letter prepared, at
the request of the board, by DR.. G.. d
Smith president, on the Use of diphtheria
letter is to call the attention Of the med.
cal profession, especially, to the present
status of anti toxin A careful investiga
tion into the methods of preparing and
| using diphtheria anti toxin was made by
Dr.. Smith, last spring, at the request of
the board, and the doctor has made it a
point to gather, so far as possible, trust
worthy. information as to the results of
the uss of this pr phylac.ic and thcrapeu-
tic agent
The circular states that at the present
time the evidence of clinicans the world
over is Overwhelmingly in favor of the
curative effect Of anti-toxinupon dipthoria
1t is not claimed that all cases are cured
by it, Many are complicated by septic
| conditions upon which anti toxin exerts
no influence. The results of secondary
septic infection it cannot be expected to
remove. 1t will, however, neutralize the
poison of diphthcria and if administered
| carly will, in the vast majority of cases,
prevent the occurrence Of these septic CON
ditions.
Certain ether facts relative to its action
are now as we'll established as any facts
Of therapeutics need to be to render them
acceptable,
Its existence is the result OF years of
laborious experiment in the study of i'm
munity.
There are scientific and demonstrated
reasons for the power claimed for it. 1t is,
| for example, capable OF absolute proof, that
destroy the virulence of certain known
amount CT diphtheria toxin.
1t has been demonstrated, over and over
again, that, in suitably proportional doses,
it can limit the extension of, membrane
and materially alter the character of sys
temic poisoning. Its practically innocu-
Gus nature has been proved in over 100, 600
injections.
Almost universal testimony Of the most
its use the frequently resulting paralysis
are less in number, there are fewer eases
Of nephritis. less albuminuria, and a greater
freedom from the other and more fatal
complications Of laryngeal obstruction and
broncho-pncnmonia.
The earlier 1t is employed, the greater il,
! the probability that such immunity will
be secured. This one fact is reason sulli-
cient to urge its use IN every case of
diphthcria, not alone to cure an existing
condition, but TO prevent the occurrence
Of more serious trouble,
The circular describes also the methods
| of using he anti-toxin, the dose required
both for preventive and for curative pur
poses, and states that the supply of anti
toxin is now ample and, so far as can be
determined, is of proper quality, but it is
still matter OF regret that the price re-
mains at so high figure
The circular also gives the names OF the
following druggists who have assured the
beard that they will keep diphtheria anti
toxin for sale: H. J. Hathaway. Houl-
ton; Ara Warren, Bangor; Charles X.
Partridge, Augusta; d. W. Wiggin x Co,
Lewiston; Thomas A. Donahuo, Rock
land; George G. Frye q Co, Portland ;
and Schlotterbeck & Foss, Portland