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There were, in 1936,196 cases fewer than in 1935.
There were 12 instances where more than one case occurred in the same house.
The number of deaths from diphtheria was 11, which represents a case mortality of 7-7. In the
three preceding years the deaths were 22, 29 and 19, the respective case mortality rates being
7, 4 and 6.
During the year 1,542 throat swabs were examined at the council's laboratory at Princess
Louise Hospital, and 35 of these showed the presence of the diphtheria bacillus.
Eight cases of diphtheria were reported from St. Mary Abbots Hospital, ten from St. Charles
Hospital, and three from Princess Louise Hospital.
Under the Anti-toxin Order, 1910, the council are empowered to supply diphtheria antitoxin
for administration to patients who are too poor to pay, and on signing the necessary
declaration that the patient cannot afford specific treatment, a doctor can obtain a free supply
from Mr. Evans, chemist, at No. 135, Ladbroke Grove, W.11, Mr. W. Reeves, chemist, at
No. 81, Cornwall Road, W.ll, or from the public health department at the town hall. The antitoxin
is obtainable at all hours of the day and night from Mr. Evans's and Mr. Reeves's premises,
and during office hours from the town hall. When the town hall is closed, applications for antitoxin
can be made to Mr. Britton, an officer of the department, who lives at No. 1, Hornton Place,
Hornton Street (only a few yards from the town hall).
The council lend syringes with portable sterilizers to doctors for the purpose of administering
the anti-toxin. Medical men administering the council's anti-toxin to poor persons are, on
application to the medical officer of health, paid a fee of 5s. per patient treated.
In 1936 the borough council supplied 402,000 units of anti-toxin for 36 patients at a cost of
£25 16s. 6d.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
The arrangement, under which doctors practising in the borough carry out immunisation of
children on behalf, and at the cost, of the council, continued in operation throughout 1936. From
the introduction of the scheme in 1934 to the end of 1936 the number of children immunised has
been 2,943.
Dr. Guy Bousfield continued throughout the year to hold a schick-testing clinic at No. 28b,
Archer Street. The total number of children attending for pre-immunisation Schick tests
was 164, of which number 91 gave a positive reaction. The number of children who were
presented for Schick testing after having received immunising inoculations totalled 702; of this
number 675 proved negative, 27 remained positive, and 36 failed to reattend for the reading.
It is unfortunate that the total number of children immunised during the year was only 600,
which represents approximately only one-fourth of the children born in the borough during that
period.
Considerable efforts have been made to bring the value of diphtheria immunisation to the notice
of the public. The health lecturer frequently speaks on this subject at welfare centres, clubs and so
on ; the council have purchased a diphtheria immunisation film which the health lecturer shows
as often as possible ; and all members of the staff are constantly bringing the advantages of this
preventive measure to the notice of parents with whom they come in contact.
Enteric Fever.—-Eight cases of this disease were notified, five being in South Kensington and three
in North Kensington. Four of the patients were removed to hospital and one to a nursing home.
The cases notified in the three preceding years were 11, 14 and 8. There were 2 deaths from the
disease during the year.
In two cases there was evidence that the disease had been contracted outside London, but
in the remaining six the patients had not been out of the metropolis for some time prior to their
illness.
Erysipelas.—Sixty-six cases were notified, 35 of these being removed to hospital. There
were 5 deaths from this disease, as compared with 10, 7 and 3 in the three preceding vears.

From the above table, it will be seen that eleven cases recovered without any injury to sight;
and one case is still under treatment.