The Problem of Diphtheria As Seen in Bombay

Abstract

The incidence of this disease is still significantly high in India. Though making a specific diagnosis by bacteriological examination is no problem in the developed countries, in Bombay this still seems to be not as simple. In the absence of such reliable specific diagnosis and specially in view of the age old teaching of the importance of clinical diagnosis in dealing with diphtheria, we have a feeling that a large number of children who perhaps do not need any specific therapy with anti-diphtheria serum are given this treatment. Such specific treatment is very expensive and tends to make a sizeable dent in the meagre health budgets in the developing countries. The treating physician however also has a point as he does not wish to take any chance and deny the vital specific treatment to a child who may happen to be suffering from diphtheria even by a small chance. This study was principally undertaken to collect some data in this respect. An attempt is also made to assess, though somewhat roughly, the coverage in Bombay with the specific toxoid.