RECOGNITION OF DIPHTHERIA

Many cases of diphtheria may be recognized with considerable certainty by the appearance of the membrane in the throat, but there is only one way by which diphtheria of all degrees can be certainly recognized especially at the onset; that is by the detection of the germ. The making of cultures for diphtheria bacilli by a doctor is easily performed, and the materials for such cultures and their examination are provided for by local and state health laboratories. It would be desirable to have cultures made from every sore throat at the beginning. In this way much valuable time would be gained and many lives saved by the early use of antitoxin.