Evening star., 1941-04-18
Great Threat
OfDiphtheria
Is Removed
Inoculation Insures
Safety of Infant;
Understand 1t
By Lettice Lee Street,

bp LeIIfCe Lee OHeeH
The apprehension some mothers
feel when they are told that their
babies should receive the inoculatlon
for diphtheria is a needless fear,
perhaps caused by lack of under
standing of what incubation means.
1t is tremendously important for
every infant to be made safe from
diphtheria by this positive precau-
ton against one or the most dread
full diseases of childhood.
The incubation cannot hurt the
baby and he should have a pre-
liminary Schick test no later than
his sixth month. The technique for
the prevention of diphtheria has
been perfected and it is the solemn
duty of every mother to protect her
child by availing herself of 1t.
Contrary to the belief of many, no
germs are injected into the bodies
of persons who receive diphtherla
inoculations. Here is the true story:
1t was discovered that certain germs
develop a toxin (Or polson which
is found in their culture media.
That is, the germs are grown in
fluid in a flask and then filtered out,
ard the poison which is present in
the fluid is left behind.
When the toxin is injected in small
enough doses, an antitoxin is de-
veloped in the body which not only
destroys the toxin but also builds
up an immunity to the disease. AS
the study of this discovery pro-
gressed it was found that by using
a mixture of toxin with antitoxin
that big doses could be given and
immunity more rapidly built up.
The newest step being taken now
is to treat the toxin with formalln.
which changes it from a strong to
a weak state, but this weak toxin
causes the same antitoXln forma-
ton and resulting immunity in the
body as does the strong toxin. The
advantage of this is that the pa
tient is not made sick when given
relatively strong doses.
Diphtheria is an infection caused
by a germ that attacks the pharynx
and creates membrane formation,
or white covering of the throat and
tonsils. This membrane can become
large enough to suffocate the victim.
If you ever see white coating on
your baby's throat you must act very
quickly. A doctor should be called
without any delay.
If he pronounces the trouble as
being diphtheria he will give the
child injections of antitoXin and
advise disqualification if possible. If
the child cannot be taken to hos
pital, some one, such as a nurse,
should hslp the mother, because it
is impossible for one person to nurse
a patient suffering from the illness.
No one can endure attending a
desperately i'll child both day and
night
AS it has been said, this is one of
the most serious children's diseases,
causing high fever, and often de-
lirium, but there is no need for any,
one to suffer from diphtheria today.
Do not procrastinate, obey your doc
tor and the health instructions of
your Government. When your baby
is 9 months old take him to a doc
tor or clinic for diphtheria inocu.
lation.
Have you questions to ask con-
eerning the care of your baby?
We suggest that you send for a
copy of Infant Care" Children's
Bureau Publication No. 8, United
States Department of Labor, to
aid you in raising a healthy,
happy youngster. Send 10 cents
with your order to The Evening
St,r Upfor,,, fion Rureau fndavt