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diphtheria were given, mostly in our schools. This is by far the
highest total yet achieved in the district.
It is very satisfying to be able to report that, for the first
year since records were kept in Southgate, no cases of diphtheria
were reported during 1948. Indeed, up to the time of writing this
Report, no case of diphtheria has occurred in the Borough for
more than two years.
On page 45 will be found a graph which sets out the number
of cases of diphtheria recorded each year in Southgate since 1923,
with the corresponding deaths. This graph illustrates very clearly
two important facts. First, it will be seen that our local immunisation
campaign, instituted during 1933, produced a downward
trend in the number of cases. It will further be observed that
this downward trend was initially not very marked. The results
of the national campaign for immunisation against diphtheria,
sponsored by the Minister of Health in 1940 and 1941, were much
more striking. Inspection of the graph will show that, from this
time, the number of cases of diphtheria being reported yearly fell
dramatically, with a corresponding decrease in the death rate from
the disease. It will thus be seen that immunisation, to be effective,
must be carried out on a large scale. Until one can be sure that at
least 50% or better still 75% of children in any area are immunised
against diphtheria and remain fully protected, the dangers of
diphtheria, even in epidemic form, will still persist.
It is not claimed that immunisation alone has produced this
spectacular drop in the numbers and death rates from diphtheria;
nor is it claimed that immunisation should supercede the older,
well-established methods of prevention. We must, of course,
remember that diphtheria can and does occur in immunised
children, especially when the gravis strain of the c. diphtherias is
responsible. It should surely be obvious, however, that immunisation
has brought about a revolution in our attitude towards
disease. A safe method of protection has been made available,
the results of which constitute one of the most spectacular achievements
in the history of preventive medicine. Happily, the vast
majority of parents are now convinced of the effectiveness of
immunisation, which is accepted almost without question in every
instance. As in all other fields of preventive medicine, we must
be prepared not only to continue our efforts but to extend or
modify them in the light of scientific advance. Immunisation
must never be allowed to remain static; we must take advantage
of each new discovery, once it has been proved. By so doing,
it should be quite possible to maintain our position, and to banish
diphtheria as a major killing or incapacitating factor from the
population.
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