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82
Diphtheria.
There were 483 cases of diphtheria notified in the Borough
during the year as compared with 456 in 1931. The cases removed
to Hospital numbered 470 which is equal to 97 3 per cent. of the
total number of notifications of this disease received. In 15
instances, patients were found after admission not to be suffering
from diphtheria and were discharged. There were 8 "return cases."
Inquiries at the homes of these patients showed that in one case the
original patient developed a nasal or aural discharge shortly after
returning home. The fatal cases numbered 14 as compared with
17 in the previous year, representing a mortality rate of 2 9 per
cent.
Fatality in diphtheria is usually due to delay in administering
anti-toxin. The severe cases require anti-toxin in large quantities
and this must be given early to obtain beneficial results. It cannot
be too frequently emphasised that diphtheria is a preventible
disease and that it is now possible by means of prophylactic treatment
to secure immunity from this disease for practically every
child during the period of life when it is most susceptible to attack.
Diphtheria Prevention.
Phials containing 500 units of anti-toxin for prophylactic and
8,000 units for treatment purposes are available free of charge on
application by medical practitioners during the day between the
hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Public Health Department, 35,
Brunswick Square, and at the Dulwich Baths, East Dulwich Road,
and at all hours of the day and night at the Camberwell Town Hall,
Peckham Road.
Care is taken to see that old stock is renewed in accordance
with the instructions on each phial.
Diphtheria Anti-toxin.
During the year, 94 bottles of anti-toxin of 8,000 units each and
41 bottles of anti-toxin of 500 units each were supplied to medical
practitioners. This gives some idea of the small amount of antitoxin
injected into patients before admission to Hospital.
A circular letter was sent from this Department at the end of
1931 to medical practitioners inviting them to make use of the
anti-toxin facilities provided by this Council.
Immunisation Treatment.
The Diphtheria Immunisation Clinic was established in 1926
and is held on Wednesday afternoons at the Municipal Infant