Committee Reports::Report - Appropriation Accounts 1935 - 1936::09 December, 1937::Appendix


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APPENDIX XI.

ANTI-DIPHTHERIA TOXINS.

Department of Local Government

and Public Health,

Custom House, Dublin.

1st July, 1937.

P.H. Cire. 91/37. A.

Precautions Against Spread of Diphtheria.

A Dhuine Uasail,

I am directed by the Minister for Local Government and Public Health to inform you that it has come under his notice that in some instances the importance of employing Diphtheria Anti-Toxin in suitable doses as a prophylactic for contacts in connection with an outbreak of Diphtheria has not been properly appreciated by District Medical Officers of Health. As the general adoption of that precautionary measure is desirable, it is requested that you will consider the whole position in that respect as regards your administrative area, and make careful enquiries as to the practice observed in dealing with cases of Diphtheria and the contacts therewith.

It is suggested that you might consider the advisability of issuing a memorandum for the guidance of the District Medical Officers of Health emphasising the importance of utilising this prophylactic for Diphtheria contacts in sufficient doses and at the same time referring to the necessity for ascertaining beforehand whether the person to be dealt with has previously been inoculated against Diphtheria. If such inoculation has already been carried out, due caution should be used in regard to the injection of Anti-Toxin.

It may also be well to inculcate the careful observance of the arrangements for maintaining at each Dispensary a supply of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin and for inspecting the material at regular intervals so as to ensure that the period for which its potency is guaranteed has not expired. Your attention is drawn to the importance of suitable provision being made for ensuring that a supply of the Anti-Toxin will be readily available for use in case of emergency in the event of an outbreak of Diphtheria in any part of the district.

The Minister will be glad to be furnished with your views on the above-mentioned matters and with a preliminary draft of any memorandum dealing therewith intended to be issued by you to Medical Officers of Health.

Mise, le meas,

J. HURSON,

Rúnaí.

1. The County Medical Officer of Health.

2. The Medical Superintendent Officer of Health.