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Thursday, December 16, 2021

Diphtheria a Big Problem in North Carolina, Says Wm. Warren, December 1921

Diphtheria Shows Big in North Carolina in Past Year

By Wm. E. Warren, Quarantine Officer

During September, October and November there were 3,379 cases of diphtheria reported to the State board of Health. The number reported for the entire year of 1920 was 3,432. Inasmuch as so many of those people who have had diphtheria will carry the germs in their nose and throat for a considerable time I feel that it is my duty to urge all parents to avail themselves of the protection for their children above six months afforded by the use of toxin-antitoxin.

About one per cent of the people in this county are diphtheir acarriers. It is this group that spread the disease. This is done by the carrier carelessly coughing or sneezing in the faces of those near them, or by contaminating articles which they handle, and thereby passing on infection to the unprotected. Children especially are exposed through the exchange of pencils, chewing gum, fruit, food or the use of the common drinking cup.

When we came to think of it, it is a wonder that we do not have more sickness than we do inasmuch as there is so great an exchange of spittle from one person to another.

The diphtheria season will last for several months yet, so it is hoped that those who have not given their children three treatments of toxin-antitoxin will do so. Remember that these treatments completely protect about 90 per cent of the children, but this protection does not come until three to six months after the injections have been given. If any people in this county desire to ask any questions about toxin-antitoxin, I will be very glad to answer them.

From the front page of The Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Dec. 16, 1921

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