New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-17

DIR. Homer Folks Tells OF
Wonderful Lifesavimg
Campaign Led by
Commissioner Biggs.


chased by Dr. Biggs public funds not being
avaable) and other preparations had oeeh
made so that there should be no delay IN start
ing the work. once its value had been estao-
lished.
The reports by Drs. Roux.snd Won Behrins
and personal inquiry made by DR.. Biggs were
so convincing that he sent the following cable
message TO Dr. Park early in September;
Great success. Start the horses
THE CITY is READY TO DISTRIBUTE
ANTITOXIN
This brief message, flashed over the cables
in September 1894. was the beginning OF one
of the greatest lifesaving campaigns that this
country has ever seen. Due TO the foresight
OF DIR. Biggs and his co-workers in the labo-
rstories. the city was ready on January ], 1929
TO begin the distribution OF antltoxin
When he returned to this city he took up
with the Health Board and the city admins
tration the matter OF financing the msnutaet-
urc and distribution Of the serum.
High prices were being charged tor treat
ment with the small amount OF serum which
had been imported up to that time, and the
department realized that this was discrmnat-
ing. in matter OF life and death. against the
poor. It therefore presented plan Tor rs
manufacture and free distribution TO those
unable to pay. Twenty-Five thousand dollars
was included in its budget for this work. l. r.
Gilroy was Mayor of the city at that time and
the department convinced him that the plan
was feasible and worth the money. As conse-
ouence. the $4,000 for it was adopted with
the departments budget.
The plan. as adopted by he Board OF
Health. included the employment OF antitoxin
inspectors, who, when called upon by phys-
clans. through the department, visited patents
and administered antitoxn in all cases where
its use was indicated. Later the practice oi
intubation was included in the duties OF those
inspectors. This is the insertion o. tube IN
the patients throat to prevent suaocauon
SsA DOSE: THE MIDDLE CLASS GOES
WITHOUT.
With this work well under way, It became
apparent. even in 1895, that only two classes
of sufferers were receiving the advantage OF
this new treatment-the very poor. who were
getting it free and the very rich, who could
afford to pay SIS dose There was great
middle class that was able to pay, but not able
to pay SIS.
To meet this situation bill was passed by
the Legislature and signed, permitting the cily
to sell the surplus of its supply OF sntto%m
The price OF a dose was almost immediately
reduced from SIS to IS. At that time the aver
age dose OF the serum was 500 units; to-day
as many as 10000 units. or even more arc
given Fifteen hundred units now is consid'
cred an mmunzing dose to prevent the cc'
currence of the disease in persons who have
been exposed.
As have pointed out, the use OF anttoxi1
in practically the whole country, the distnbu'
ton by cities and its production by CONNER
cial laboratories resulted from the worb
started here The death rate from diphtheria
and Group in the registration area OF tne
United States fell from AZ and fraction per
100000 population in 1900 to approximately Is
per 100000 population in 1924 reduction oil
more than so per cent in the death rate. due
almost entirely TO the increased use OF am
toxin. The registration area in 1912 includeo
6O.427.l33 population. This means that 1t IN.
death rate from diphtheria and Group in this
more than 100000 population had been the
same in 1912 that it was in 1900 there would
have been 10000 more deaths from this one
disease.
Despite its value however which was early