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83
Diphtheria.
During 1935 there were 363 cases of diphtheria notified as
compared with 520 cases in 1934. Of these patients, 359 were
removed to Isolation Hospitals for treatment, and 30 were subsequently
discharged as not suffering from diphtheria. The deaths
numbered 20. Eleven of the deaths occurred in children under
the age of 5 years. The mortality rate from this disease was 5-5
per cent, as compared with 3-8 per cent, in 1934.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
The clinic for the immunisation of children and adults against
diphtheria which was opened nine years ago at 140, Camberwell
Road was transferred to more suitable premises, Mayward House,
Brunswick Square, on October 2nd of this year. A session was held
every Wednesday afternoon throughout the year. During 1935
365 persons attended the clinic to receive the Schick test, and
297 for the purpose of receiving immunisation treatment.
The public are slow to realise that in active immunisation there
is a safe and efficient method of preventing diphtheria for the
vast majority of persons who have not acquired natural immunity,
ana that in the very small percentage of persons who contract
diphtheria after immunisation treatment through loss of resistance
to a virulent organism, the character of the disease has been
extraordinarily mild.
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