The Pensacola journal., 1922-12-03
Olitics, People, FersifIage
Comment on Subjects in Which You
May or May Not Be Interested. About
People You Know and Ought to Know
BY BRYAN MACK

| I wish it were possible for every mother
and father in Florida to read this column
| today. Being a father gives one an en-
| tirely different viewpoint in life, and dis
| ease that affects little children gives us
considerable concern.
Diphtheria has been the cause of thou
sands of deaths. and heartache to par
ents, and it is to prevent this terrible dis
ease that I reproduce a part of an article
in the Florida State Board of Health bull
letin. The piece interested me especially
and I know the parents will be glad to
get this information.
The article says:
THE occurrence of a case of diphtheria
causes many person to wonder if their
child will be the next victim.
I'm the days gone by many things were
looked upon as causes of this disease but
today practically all realize that the only
source is the discharges from a case of
diphtheria or from carrier of diphtheria
bacilli.
by the term carrier here we mean an
individual who has the germs of the dis
ease in the nose or throat Cor both) but
who shows no symptoms of the disease
because he is not susceptible to the in
lection.
THE introduction of antitoXin in the
closing years of the nineteenth century
number of deaths from diphtheria but
the number of cases was not reduced to
any extent. Immunity gained by its use
is of very short duration and cases have
developed after this had passed, for it
was passive not an active one. In other
words the antitoXin is a neutralizing
agent and does not stimulate the body
cells to produce protective substances
that make the body able to fight the in
lection and to build UP resistance that
is probably effective through life.
You will note we say probably and
this is because it was only in 1913 that
humans We're first immunized but, from
the data at hand. it is felt that the i'm
munity will last for life although of course
it is impossible to make a definite state
ment to this effect. The immunity con-
ferred in 1913 is still effective and even
If it We're for but years it is certainly
a wonderful boon to humanity.
1T is also possible to learn who is sus-
ceptible by use of the Schick test which
consists of injecting a minute quantity of
diphtheria toxin between the layers Of
the skin. If the individual is immune
there is no reaction while If he is sus-
ceptible there is an area of redness at
the site OF the injection and none at the
site of the control which is injected with
the same amount OF the same material
which has been heated to kill the toxin.
by the use of the Schick test it is
possible to find just who needs protection
and to give it only to those found to be
susceptible. Those over six years Of age
should be given the test while those be-
tween six months and six years of age
do not require it as toxin antitoXin may
be given without the preliminary test as
the percentage of immunity at this age
is very low.
"It is not advisable to give the toxin
antitoXin to those under six months of
age for they are rarely exposed and they
also usually possess an inherited immuni- |
ty at that period.
, The State Board of Health will fur
nish materials to test the children of the
state and to immunize those found to be |
susceptible.
LAS far as possible the board will as |
sist those communities who apply by |
demonstrating the test and instructing |
the medical profession in the use of the |
test and toxin antitoxin.
The immuniZation consists OF the In !
lection Of small amount Oc.cl Of a mix |
ture of toxin and antitoxin in which the |
toxin has been nearly but not completely /
neutraHzed by antitoxin and the action /
of the toxin not neutralized is to stinlu- /
late the body 10 production OF its own /
protective substances. There are three
injections of this amount week apart /
The production Of immunity is not a rapid |
procession ii requires from six weeks 10 |
three or four months, but what a relief
to any parent 70 feel that their children |
are safe from this disease
will YOU give your children this pro- !
lection that is their due and which nnayl
save you many heartaehe in the fu- |
ture?
An applications for this material or
for other biological products should be