The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-11-18
DIPHTHERIA APT ID EXPERIMENT COMING WINTER Dr. Reeks Calls Attention to Fact That Grave Danger
 Impends. SHOULD ATTEMPT
 TO STOP EPIDEMIC Active Measures Should Be
 Taken to Check
 ContagiOn.
Notes and Comment.

(By T. Eben ReekS, M.D., Director
 Bureau of Preventable Diseases.)
 Will 1t be necessary for diphtheria. to reach the proportions of an cpl denic before sufficient interest and effort can be stimulated to control it? There Is danger, a very real danger, that this scourge of childhood may be more prevalent during the coming winter than ever before in the history of the state. An examination of the morbidity records for the past ten year shows that more cases were re- ported during last October than in any other month of the ten-year period.
 During the first nine months of this year there were thirty-four more deaths from diphtheria than in the corresponding period of last year. The progress of the disease Is illus trated by the cases reported for the past four months: July, s9; August, 120; September, 249; October, 4s2. Incomplete returns for the first two weeks of November show 217 report ed cases, of which Waterbury has re- ported 51; Hartford, 27; Bristol, 15; New Haven, If; Bridgeport, 13; Stonington, 13; New Britain, 10; Stratford, 10. With the reported cases for this year already in excess of last years total, there is every in- dication that complete reports for 1919 will show at least 500 more eases than were reported in 1918, while the diphtheria deaths in Con- necticut this year will probably reach a total of at least 250.
 These facts ought to be sufficient to be sufficient to convince every com munity that very active measures must be taken immediately to check the spread of the contagion. The centers of infection are so well scat tered throughout the state that no town may expect to escape it. It would be well for local health officers, members of school boards and other town officials to meet together to dis cuss the situation and map out a definite plan of action.
 During the past SIX weeks the state department of health has issued sev- eral bulletins on the subject of diph- theria, and the pub:1c-spirited news pa pers of the state have given them wide publicity. In those bulletins 1t was shown that the Schick test will reveal whether or not a child may contract diphtheria; that vaccination with toxin-antitoxin induces inn munity and furnishes almost as cer- tain protection against diphtheria as does vaccination against smallpox, and that even after a case of diph- theria develops, the early adminis- tration of anti-toxin almost invaria- bly, effects a cure.
 The most dangerous spreaders of the disease are the unsuspected diphtheria carriers, who harbor the germs in their threats and noses. They are generally immune themselves and appear to be in good health. When a case develops among school chill dren and the source of infection can not be traced. it is wise to culture the threats and moses of all children in the discovery of a carrier. Every child carrier should be isolated and placed under treatment to relieve the condition. Most carriers have en- larged tonsils. The removal of the tonsils and adenoids from the throats of those who have them is almost certain to rid a carrier of the germs.
 At a time like the present, every case Of sore throat in a child should arouse suspicion of diphtheria. If sore throat is discovered in school, the sick child should be sent home Immediately and the parents and health officer notified. Parents are urged not to attempt home treatment but to send for the family physician. Delays are never more dangerous than in cases of diphtheria.
 Weekly morbidity report for week ended November Is, 1919. Including all cases reported before II a. m., Monday, Nov. IT, 1919:
 Diphtheria--Bethel 1; Bridgeport 6; Danbury (ctty) 2; Darien 2; Fair field 5; Shelton 2; Stamford (city) 5; Stratford 8; Trumbull l.
 Measles-Bridgepo 6; Fairfield 3 Greenwich 1; Stamford (city) g.: Stratford 5.
 Scarlet Fever-Danbury (city) Stamford (city) 1; Stamford (town 1; Westport 2.
 Typhoid Fever.-Norwalk 1 stral ford 1.
 whooping Cough-Fairhe1d Shelton 6.
 Other Communicable Diseases Gonorrhoea 14; syphilis 13; tubercui, sis 22; chicken pox 26; pneumonia conjunctivitis inf. B.
 pr nDETTvV TgEnAs