Many cases of diphtheria may be recognized with considerable certainty
by the appearance of the membrane in the throat, but there is only one
way by which diphtheria of all degrees can be certainly recognized
especially at the onset; that is by the detection of the germ. The
making of cultures for diphtheria bacilli by a doctor is easily
performed, and the materials for such cultures and their examination
are provided for by local and state health laboratories. It would
be desirable to have cultures made from every sore throat at the
beginning. In this way much valuable time would be gained and many
lives saved by the early use of antitoxin.