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39
way a number of mild oases were detected and isolated, and
the outbreaks speedily ceased. But this work made large
demands on the time and vigilance of the Department.
Children in the affected classes were, by my request, swabbed
by a Medical Officer of the London County Council.
In order to awaken the public to the danger of these
mild cases of diphtheria, a leaflet, as follows, was printed
and circulated all over the Borough by the agency of school
children:—
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF WOOLWICH.
Precautions against Diphtheria.
Owing to the prevalence of Diphtheria in the neighbourhood
you are requested to pay special atention to the health
of your children, especially to any who have a "cold" or
seem out of sorts. The following information may be of
use to you.
Diphtheria is a very dangerous disease if left to itself,
but if proper treatment is applied at the commencement
the patient is almost sure to recover.
Children often have Diphtheria in a very mild form, and
may be able to take their food and run about the whole time.
But such cases sometimes get paralysis later on, with difficulty
in swallowing, weakness of sight, and weakness of arms
and legs, or they may die suddenly from paralysis of the
heart.
Mild cases are just as infectious as serious ones.