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45
Although a skin test for scarlet fever (the Dick test) is now well established, and
although specific immunization can now be effected with considerable success, these
procedures are more suitable for hospital experience than for use in the general
population. This is due largely to the fact that, although scarlet fever is a specific
disease, it is difficult to differentiate it from certain other conditions which are due
to closely allied organisms. Consequently specific immunization is not as useful
as it is in diphtheria. During the year there was no clinic for this work in the Borough.
Diphtheria.
The number of cases notified during the year was 223, of which 47, or 21.1 per
cent., were subsequently not regarded as being cases of diphtheria. The actual
number of cases for the year was thus 176, which gives an attack rate of 2.06 per
1,000 inhabitants. In 1935 the number of cases was 252 and the attack rate
was 2.85. The age, seasonal incidence and ward distribution of the cases are given
in the table on page 40. The number of deaths was 5—two of males and three of
females. This gives a death rate of 0.06 per 1,000 inhabitants and a case
mortality of 2.84. The deaths occurred in the following age groups :
Up to 2 years, 1; 2-5 years, 1; 5-10 years, 2 ; 10-15 years, 1.

The number of cases, the deaths amongst males and females and the attack,
death and case mortality rates in the Borough, its wards and in London are given in the
subjoined table:—