The Cure of Diphtheria.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 159, 8 January 1896, Page 2

The Cure of Diphtheria.

A Berlin correspondent writes : — " The official statistics of the cases of diphtheria treated by the antitoxic serum, 'which have just been published give some interesting details as to the success of the new. method. The investigation on this subject was set on foot by the Ministry . of Medical Affairs, which addressed its inquiries to physicians, both in public and private practice. Answers to the number of 1349 were returned, dealing with 6626 cases, of which 2460 were treated in hospitals. Out of the total of 6626 patients, 865 per cent recovered and 12*9 per cent died, while the remainder were still under treatment. Of the hospital patients 80*5 per cent recovered and 19-5 per cent died. The mortality was highest (34 per cent) in the Government district of Liegnitz, and lowest (7 per cent) in that of Munich, la 4871 cases the physicians expressed their views as to the value of the antitoxic serum. In 556 per cent of these cases the remedial effects of the serum are characterised as certain, and '60S per cent the method apparently produced no effect. The serum was described as ' decidedly harmful ' in only 60 cases, of which 42 recovered and 18 died, and as innocuous ' in 4544 cases. In those 60 cases the patients suffered from cutaneous eruptions, albuminuria, pains in joints, disturbance of the heart's action, nephritis in three cases, and general debility. It is not, however, believed that the inquiry has proved that such symptoms are of more frequent occurrence iv consequence of the inti toxic treatment,, though cutaneous eruptions and pains in the joints may, t is thought, be looked upon as likely, ;o accompany the method. The authorilies have come to the conclusion that ihe treatment with the serum exercises i favorable influence on the cause of the lisease, and that a continued employ* sent of it is justified.