The Bismarck tribune., 1931-12-22
Several Major Immunization
Projects Now in Progress,
Whittemore Says

North Dakota children immunized
against diphtheria during the last
year and half number more than
$4,000, A. A. Whittemore, state health
officer, announced Tuesday. In addi-
ton, several major immunization
projects now are in progress in the
larger cities and counties of the
state.
Statistics Of the state health de-
partment show that for the seven
year period, 1924 to 1880, there were
2.179 cases of diphtheria, with 270
cases of death. The deaths included
eight children under one year of age: !:
176 from one to 10 years; 65 from 10
to 20 years, and 81 deaths of persons
q years and over.
Under the supervision of the health
department, health project insti-
tuted in the drought area Of north
western North Dakota last October
has had as its major issue immuniza-
ton against three well-known pre-
ventable diseases, diphtheria, small
pox and typhoid fever.
Already some 10000 diphtheria i'm
munizations are in process or have
been completed by the field person.
mel of the drought area project, as
sisted by the personnel from the
health department, DR.. Whittemore
said.
Acquires Natural Immunity
When child arrives at adult age,
DR.. Whittemore said. he or she grad
ually acquires natural immunity
against diphtheria with the result
that most adults are immune to the
disease.
During the last five years, over
five million persons, mostly children,
have been immunized against diph-
liberia In this country, according to
the health officer.
The state diphtheria commission,
consisting Of small group of out
standing North Dakota citizens, one
Of whom Is medical man, was ap-
pointed by Governor George F. Sha-
fer less than two years ago, for the
purpose Of sponsoring a statewide
diphtheria immunization campaign,
ir cooperation with the state depart
ment of health.
A statewide diphtheria immuniza-
ton campaign was launched with the
cooperation of the Federated Wonl-
ems clubs Of the state, the American
Legion and Auxiliary, health officers
D0rnYof - =
clubs, and other organizations.
"Diphtheria is one of the most Sc
rious contagious and infectious dis
cases." DIR. Whittemore said. TT is
endemic most everywhere in the ten.-
perate zone. Epidemic outbursts oc-
cur and are doubtless due to COM
bination Of such circumstances as q
new crop of susceptible children. a
particularly virulent strain of bacillus
or germ which causes it, opportulnty
for contact and environmental factors
favoring the spread of the infection.
Treatment ID Common
"Since 1894 treatment of those al.
flicted with diphtheria with anti
toxin has been the common practice
and the death rate has been lowered
from so to six per cent of those al.
flicted. Soon after this treatment was
firmly established as specific, it wa.
found that it would also prevent thu
disease among those exposed to it il
administered promptly, by establish
ing temporary immunity agains
the disease. This immunity was fouil<
to last but for a few weeks, however
also that an attack Of the disease IT,
self did not immunize the individual
but for short time.
"The diphtheria germ produces ,
very poisonous product, known a
toxin, which poisons the patient,
system. BY mixing this toxin witt
antitoxin a product known as toxin
antitoxin was produced. which wa
found to produce an immunity for
much longer time, even for life, whel
injected In small repeated doses un
der the skin. Neither was there an
local or general reaction resulting, a
was sometimes the case with anti
toxin itself. It was further foun
that by mixing toxin-antitoxin with
small amount Of preservative mate
rial (formalin), that a product wa
obtained which also established
permanent immunity In the vast ma
jority OF cases, In shorter time tina
did toxin -antitoxin and with eve
less reaction and with fewer dose
This product is known as toxoid an
is now almost entirely used in Chi
dren up to eight and 10 years of az
and in those sensitive to serum {
who had previously been given a dos
Ct acti-tOxi:. c. other serum.
Two Doses Successful
1.-TWO doses of toxoid given frol
= three to four weeks apart will es:at
. lish immunity against diphtheria i
: q higher percentage of cases and in
shorter time than those given thru
doses of toxin -antitoxin at weekly il
tervals, which immunity will preva
! for longer period of time. This in
munity is established as early
three months after the completion
the treatment with toxoid, as again
from four to six months with toxin
antitoxin. Until this immunity Is e