462 DIPHTHERIA, SCARLET FEVER, AND TETANUS 



Prevention. Care should be taken to avoid cuts and wounds of 

 all kinds, especially from objects soiled with manure or fertilized 

 soil. The restriction of the use of fireworks during the past few 

 years has very markedly reduced the number of cases of tetanus 

 occurring over the country at large. All gunshot and " Fourth 

 of July " wounds, any extensive or deep wounds, and every form 

 of punctured wounds should receive care from a physician. Where 

 such wounds have had dirt driven into them, the desirability of 

 an injection of tetanus antitoxin is very great. The antitoxin 

 must be given early as it is preventative and not a cure of 

 tetanus. Wounds suspected of containing tetanus organisms 

 should be opened and thoroughly cleaned. Gauze bandages, 

 which are porous, should be used, never air-tight bandages. 



QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS 



1 . Discuss the discovery of the causative organism of diphtheria. 



2. Discuss the work of Emile Roux. 



3. Review and report on the work leading to the discovery of 

 antitoxin. 



4. Contrast active and passive immunity. 



5. Discuss the Schick test and its importance. 



6. How do diphtheria bacilli gain entrance to the body ? 



7. How do diphtheria bacilli attack the body ? 



8. What educational propaganda for parents is still necessary be- 

 fore diphtheria can be eradicated ? 



9. Contrast and compare scarlet fever with diphtheria in cause, 

 prevention, and treatment. 



10. Explain why the prevention of a disease is more to be desired 

 than the cure. 



11. What is the similarity between tetanus and diphtheria? 



12. Where are the tetanus bacilli found ? 



13. What is the relation of tetanus to different types of wounds ? 



14. Is there any truth in the belief that one will surely get tetanus 

 if he cuts himself between the thumb and first finger ? 



15. Why are tetanus organisms found in dirty places more commonly 

 than diphtheria or scarlet fever organisms ? 



16. What has caused the reduction in the number of deaths from 

 tetanus ? 



