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Over 200 cases were between one and eight years of age. Those over
eight were in almost every case done along with younger members of the
same family. One baby of seven months gave a definite positive result
to the test, but very few children under fifteen months were brought up.
When a negative result in a very young child was obtained, a re-test later
was advised. Such children can reasonably be treated without testing,
but it was rarely found that the mother wished this. Most children under
a year are negative, deriving a temporary immunity from the mother.
After one year the majority are susceptible until they acquire immunity
in resisting small doses of infection. The question whether breast
feeding increased the early temporary immunity was considered, but the
data is so far insufficient to form any definite conclusion.

The percentage of negatives is rather higher than would be found in a
general testing of the children of the country. This is probably due to
the fact that many cases came to the Clinic because there was
experience of Diphtheria in the family. Of the 71 negative cases, 7 had
had Diphtheria and 17 others had had fairly recent cases of Diphtheria in
their families and may have been exposed to infection. A few others,
young children, were later positive when re-tested, others have not yet
had re-tests.
Forty-four cases have already been re-tested after treatment; 39 were
negative, 2 still gave a definite positive result, received further treatment,
and were later negative ; 3 others showed very slight positive results, 2 of
these received further treatment but have not yet been re-tested.