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Diphtheria.
Two notifications of Diphtheria were received during the year, one
case being unconfirmed.

Although only 7 cases of Diphtheria have been notified in the
Borough during the last ten years, the necessity for immunisation is
as pressing as ever. It is difficult to understand why, in spite of
all the publicity given to the occasional outbreaks of diphtheria which
occur and the local publicity campaigns urging protection by immunisation,
the numbers immunised are not 100 per cent. Is it that parents are
bewildered by the many different injections now available to children
smallpox, diphtheria, tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, tetanus, whooping
cough, etc.?
Sixty-one swabs were forwarded by general practitioners to the Mile
End Group Laboratory, where bacteriological examinations are carried out
on behalf of the Borough Council.
Dysentery.
There was an increase in the incidence of Sonne Dysentery, 140 cases
being notified compared with 87 cases last year. The occurrence of
Sonne Dysentery is common but seldom fatal, and then only in aged persons
or debilitated children.
Enteric Fever.
One case of Enteric Fever was notified during the year.
Erysipelas.
During the year five notifications were received (compared with 119
in 1936).
Food Poisoning.
There were 26 cases of food poisoning in the Borough during the
year, 19 being notified cases and 7 otherwise ascertained. Salmonella
organisms were isolated in 11 cases.
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