Nexus - 0215 - New Times Magazine-pages

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I wish I knew all that when I was six years old! 1895 and 1907 there were 63,249 cases of diphtheria treated The incidence of tetanus is now extremely rare. In the UK,a With antitoxin, of which 8,917 died, giving a fatality rate of mere 20-30 cases are recorded annually, and in the USA the inci- 14.09%. Yet in those same years, of the 11,716 cases ‘not’ treat- dence is about double. According to the Medical Journal of &d with antitoxin, only 703 died, giving a fatality rate of 6%. Australia (23/9/1978): “The decline of tetanus as a disease On 1 January 1926 in the USA, the American Medical began before the introduction of tetanus toxoid to the general _ Association started a drive to abolish diphtheria by 1930 with the population." The reasons for this decline are the same as for the _use of antitoxin, the same serum that Austria and other European decline in all the other infectious diseases: improved hygiene countries banned over 20 years earlier. Yet by 1930, in those and sanitation, better nutrition, healthier living conditions, etc. states that pushed antitoxin the hardest, there was an increase in It is interesting to note that the British the death rate. Detroit, one of the most Medical Journal, August 1964, carried a inoculated states in the USA, recorded the statement by Dr H. K. Bourns which highest death rate. reads: In France, the incidence of diphtheria a Soe In Germany, compulsory rose steadily from 1924-1930 despite it “Thorough wound toilet is the only _* . .. i i i treatment for a wound and when it is mass Immunisation — most inoculated country in i t tly, antibioti : 4 4 a