[The diagnostic and treatment characteristics of diphtheria in troop units and military medical institutions].

Medical records of 876 servicemen of a young age who have suffered various forms of clinical diphtheria were analysed. (Lethal cases were marked in 52 cases--5.9%). A true clinical symptom complex for the diagnosis of diphtheria at pre-hospital period is as following: fever, intoxication and febrinous tonsillitis. The main cause of unfavourable outcome of the disease depends on the affection of cardiovascular, central and peripheral nerve systems by diphtheritic exotoxin. The most frequent limitations during medical care were the following: error diagnosis of angina (41%), late hospitalization and late specific treatment, insufficient doses of antidiphtheric serum, inopportune diagnosis of severe aggravations (infectious toxic shock, pneumonia).