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The response to the institution of a diphtheria clinic has been pretty
well as expected. It is most difficult to get the public actively interested
except when the danger is immediate. For several weeks in the summer few
people attended, but as soon as some cases of diphtheria occurred in a school
there was a great rush to the clinic by the local children. But with no further
cases of diphtheria occurring in the district, interest again waned. It appears
that prevention is recognised as sound by parents only when the alternative
is thrust in their face ; the tragedy is when recognition takes place too late.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
There were two cases of ophthalmia neonatorum notified in 1938, as is
shown in Table No. 47.
The Council has an arrangement with the London County Council by
which cases of ophthalmia neonatorum are treated at St. Margaret's Hospital,
Hampstead, N.W. In some cases the mothers are admitted with the child in
order that breast feeding may be continued.

Acute Poliomyelitis.
No case was notified in the Borough during the year.
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