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War Surgery and Medicine

Recommendations made by Consultant Physician 2 NZEF in July 1943

Recommendations made by Consultant Physician 2 NZEF in July 1943

The great majority of the cases of diphtheria in this country (Egypt) are mixed infections—diphtheria bacilli and streptococci.

In diagnosis, do not rely upon the appearance of the throat alone. Take everything into consideration—the general condition of the patient, the degree of prostration and the toxaemia, glandular enlargement, albuminuria, the smell of the breath. Give anti-toxin at once, if there is the slightest suspicion of diphtheria. Don't wait for examination of the swab. If the swab should be negative in a suspicious case, ignore it.

Anti-toxin—a single large dose given early is better than repeated smaller doses. Give 40,000 units for an average case and three or four times this dose for a severe case. Anti-streptococcal serum may be required as well, and also sulphanilamide.