Evening star., 1896-12-09
ANTI-TOxIN IN DIPHTHERIA.

DIR. S. s. Adams Again Urges Physi-
CLANS to Use IL.
To the Editor of 1he Evening Star:
The interview published in The Star Of
November 30 was not intended to excite
a newspaper controversy on the merits cf
the treatment of diphtheria by its anti
toxin, but was given in the interest of
human beings that might fall victims to
one of the most fatal maladies OF infancy
and childhood.
Mr.. Crammond Kennedy, in last Sa. ur-
days Star. undertakes TO shcw that ply
sicians ARE not convinced" by quoting
extensively from the writings of Mr.. Len
nox Browne of London and others from
the contirent of Europe. l am not uil-
familiar with the ingenious methods OF
this so-called eminent specialist of Eng
land, but must inform Mr.. Kennedy that
he is not regarded as an authority at home,
much less in any other country.
Since Mr.. Kennedy felt the pressing need
of seeking the opinions of foreigners TO
Offset the conclusions of the American
Pediatric Society, let me call his attention
20 the utteraEces of Sir Joseph Lister, an
Englishman beloved and honored by al
civilized nations, one whose name Is linked
with every achievement In modern sur
gerry. In his presidential address before
the British Association for the Advance
ment of Science, September IL. 1886 Sir
Joseph Lister, after discussing the various
phases of the aHti-toXin question, says:
Whatever be the explanation, the fact
was thus established that the anti-toXic
serum, while ii renders the toxin harmless,
causes the microbe TO languish and dsap-
pear. No theoretical objection could now
be urged against the trea tment; and ii has
during the last two years been extensively
tested In pract in various parts of the
world, and it has gradually made its way
more and more into the confidence of the
profession. One important piece of evil
dence in its favor in this country is derived
from the report of the six large hospi-als
under the anagement of the London asy-
lums board. The medical officers of ;hose
hospitals at first naturally regarded ihe
practice with skepticiSIr. but as it app al,ed
to be at least harmless. they gave 1t a
trial. and during the year lS95 ii was gem
orally employed upon the 2ls2 cases ad-
mitted; and they have all become con-
vinced of its great value
In spite of the above quotation there is
enough of the spirit OF the American Eagle
in me to believe it unnecessary TO cross
the Atlantic to England for advice on
medical topics. Americans have several
times demonstrated their ability to take
care OF themselves il national issues and
can also do so in scientific medicine.
Every physician is entitled to his own
opinion especially so in the use of anti
toxic serum in the treatment of diphtheria.
hence the responsibility of its administra-
ton must rest with him. The physician
has ample opportunities for discussing
scientific subjects in scientific societies,
that nothing can possibly be gained by en-
tering into a controversy with a layman
who must necessarily depend upon thc
labors of others in support of his position,
since he is without practical experience in
such matters. l shall continue to urge
physicians to use anti-toXic serum in the
treatment of diphtheria. My object in do
ing SO Is purely humanitarian, hence the
impossibility of surmising the motive OF
an attorney-at-law in discrediting the value
of remedy which is believed 10y very
many conscientious physicians to be a
boon to suffering children.
SAMUEL S. ADAMS.