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153
Further, it has been established that by the injection of a
mixture of toxoid and antitoxin a much more enduring protection
can be achieved. This protection lasts at least seven years, and
there is reason to believe that it remains for life. Even if the protection
does not last for ever it should be remembered that a young
child immunised is protected during a period of years when it is
susceptible to diphtheria and when it is most likely to die from this
disease.
The following table shows that in spite of the measures to control
the disease, namely, hospital isolation, antitoxin treatment and
disinfection, there are still many cases of this disease occurring each
year in the Borough, resulting in much sickness and subsequent illhealth,
and a considerable proportion of the cases die, especially the
younger children. In particular it should be noted that the mortality
rate for children under 5 years of age is practically three times
greater than that for persons over 5 years of age.
Year.
ATTACK
RATE
ALL AGES
per 1,000
Population.
CASES
NOTIFIED.
DEATHS.
FATALITY RATE
per 100 cases
notified.
Under
5
years.
5 years
and
over.
All
Ages
Under
5
years.
5 years
and
over.
All
Ages
Under
5
years.
5 years
and
over.
All
Ages
Year.
1917 2.55 159 207 366 18 5 23 11.3 2.4 6.3 1917
1918 2.18 158 147 305 22 9 31 13.9 6.1 10.2 1918
1919 2.08 117 203 320 26 12 38 22.1 5.9 11.9 1919
1920 4.36 247 451 698 39 20 59 1 5.8 4.4 8.4 1920
1921 3.94 255 393 648 44 20 64 1 7.2 5.1 9.9 1 921
1922 3.77 268 358 626 41 21 62 15.3 5.8 9.9 1922
1923 1.82 122 181 303 17 15 32 1 3.9 8.3 10.6 1923
1924 2.08 144 204 348 14 6 20 9.7 2.9 5.7 1924
1925 1.95 124 205 329 7 1 8 5.6 0.5 2.4 1925
1926 2.43 158 253 411 15 7 22 9.5 2.8 5.3 1926
Aver.
19171926
2.72 175 260 435 24 12 36 13.8 4.5 8.2
Active immunisation against diphtheria has been practised for
some time now in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol,
Aberdeen, and in at least four of the Metropolitan Boroughs, with
results which tend to show that this method—with the active cooperation
of the general public—will considerably reduce the number
of cases of diphtheria. Medical men who are best qualified to offer
an opinion on the results, are very enthusiastic concerning the future