New Britain herald., 1926-09-21

ing the operation with a pocket knife because of the seriousness, of | the emergency.
 Death Rate High
 The death rate from the disease was terrific, regardless of the best of medical attention. The famous 1 picture The Doctor" that Is fa- miliar to almost everyone, apparent- ly was a physician sitting at the bed- side of such a patient. The novel; lst, Tcheckhov, and many others told the story of physicians who died as the result of giving d treatment such as that which has been men, tioned.
 But between 1890 and 1895 A change came. During these years 4 German scientist, named Behrins, utilized the discovery of Loeffler that this disease is caused by a germ. and the discovery of Roux. a pupil of Pasteur. that the germ ac- complishes its evil results by tho production of a poison when 1t grows in the tissues, and prepared serum that could be used against this poison or toxin.
 That serum is known as diphtheria antitoxin. It is made by injecting the poison created by the germ into a horse. This does not affect tho horse seriously, but does stimulate its blood 10 produce a substance which will counteract the. poison.
 After the substance Is produced within the blood of the horse, tho animal is bled from the jugular vein, the amount of blood taken not being sufficient to cause him any symptoms. This blood is permitted to settle so that the fluid matter or serum Is separated from the solid matter, such as the red blood cells. This serum is known as diphtheria antitoxin.
 Usc of Antitoxin
 By 1895, antitoxin was being widely used in the control of this disease. The result was a pheno- menal lowering of the death rate, Whereas almost 1o5 persons out of each 100000 died in New York City in 1885 from diphtheria, only 80 in each 100000 died from this cause in 1895, and less than oo in 1905.
 During the same period, it had been found that the infection of A. small amount of antitoxin in per sons who were exposed to diphtheria would supply their blood with pro- tcctive substances, so that they did not succumb 10 the disease.
 In addition. such measures were put into effect as had long been used in connection with infectious diseases. The patient himself was isolated; persons who were known to have the germs in their throat after infection were treated, so that they would not carry the disease, and, in general, the amount of diph- theria was reduced.
 New Discoveries
 The battle against diphtheria up 10 this point was one of the most successful campaigns that scientific medicine had ever accomplished, but it was not permitted 10 lapse at this point. New discoveries were to be made which would accomplish more in controlling this disease. Indeed, with our present knowledge, sani- tarians and hygienists are convinced that diphtheria. may be completely eliminated from our country through the application Of our present. knowledge.
 That application will depend on| the enlightened attitude of the pub lie which will avail itself of the knowledge that has been dissemi- mated among physicians.
 "When ignorance, superstition. and prejudice prevail" says the American Association of Medical Progress, ''preventabo diseases will be allowed to slay right and left, and especially among children"
 It is the purpose of these articles to overcome ignorance, superstition. and prejudice.