Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-05-10
ANT|TOX|N IS
THE ONLY CURE
FOR D|PHTHER|A

The state department of health
at Santa F'e has issued the follow
ing statement regarding dphtheria,
of which a number of cases have
been reported in the state:
The fact that diphtheria is in
creasingly prevalent and that it
has already caused a number or
deaths in this state, this year. de-
serves serious attention.
One of the chief factors contrib
uting to its spread is the great dis
lance that must be travelled by
many persons in order to reach a
physician, The tendency is to get
along as well as may be without
medical aid, until alarming symp-
toms have developed. 1t is then too
late, as a rule, to save the victims
life.
If several important facts re-
garding the disease are borne In
mind, many lives can be saved.
1. In the majority of cases
person who is developing diph-
iberia does not appear to be as
sick, during the first few days, as
he would be with an attack Of ton
silitis. The throat is slightly sore
and a white patch begins to spread
over the tonsil and palate, but the
fever slow and the body does not
ache as severely as with tonsilitis.
2. Antitoxin is the only cure for
diphtheria. Some few persons get
we'll without it, but IS per cent
of every 100 die, if not given the
serum. If it is given on the first
day of illness practically none who
receive it then succumb. For every
day of delay there are an increas-
ing number of deaths.
It should also be remembered
that one very large dose Is better
than a number of small ones given
over several days. Ten thousand
units should be given to all pa
tients, but the youngest babies, IN
one dose. Further injections VIII
depend on the condition and re-
spouse of the patient.
Every child exposed to a case
should receive 1000 units of anti
toxin as a preventive.
3. Remember that a person VINO
has recovered from an attack or
diphtheria carries the germs in
the throat for several weeks. so
long as this condition lasts such
a person is dangerous to the com
munity and should be kept nj
home. as required by the regula-
tions of the state health depart
ment. BY taking a swabbing OF
the throat and having it examined
in the state public health labora-
tory, it is possible to tell when the
germs have disappeared and the
person can safely mingle with his
fellows.
It should also be borne in mind
that those healthy persons VINO
have been exposed to case may
carry the germs in the throat ana
produce diphtheria in others, with
out being sick themselves. Such
persons should be sought out by the
health officer and kept at home
until laboratory examinations SHOW
their threats to be clear.
d. Finally, in the future there
should be very few deaths from
diphtheria in this state, for the
health department has arranged TO
coll antitoxin at the lowest price.
A dose of 10000 units costs only
$3.50. while one Of 1000 costs so
cents. And if anyone is unable 10
70 nav these prices, the local au-
thorities will always arrange 10
supply the serum.
Furthermore, no doubt as to the
diagnosis of a case should ever ex-
ist. for the state public health Ia
boratory, at Albuquerque, has oeen
established for the purpose OF max
ing examinations of this kind.
With this facilities at hand re-
snonsibility rests heavily upon
those who permit a child to ole Oh
diphtheria without resort to these
aids.
II is much better to be on the
safe side and give the antitoxin IN
any suspicious case of sore throat
than to wait until 1t is too late
for the serum to save the life OF
the patient.
---------S------