Depending on the way it is treated, diphtheria is one of the least
dangerous or one of the most dangerous diseases. It is one of the least
dangerous when promptly treated with antitoxin; it is one of the most
dangerous when the antitoxin treatment is not given, or is delayed or
insufficient. In the days before we had antitoxin one out of every three
children who had diphtheria died. Now, if antitoxin is used on the first
or second day of the disease ninety-eight out of every hundred children
recover. The sooner diphtheria is attended to the more certain is a
cure.
In severe cases suspected to be diphtheria the doctor always gives
diphtheria antitoxin at once. This is a wise thing to do, because the
disease goes on rapidly and a delay of 12 or 24 hours may be fatal.
Besides, no harm is done, even if the disease proves not to be
diphtheria. The antitoxin, although making some people uncomfortable for
a day or two, never does any real harm. Whenever antitoxin is given to a
person ill with diphtheria it should be given in _one dose, large enough
and early enough_.