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It will be seen that diphtheria was most prevalent in the
Clapton Park Ward of the Borough.

The deaths from diphtheria and membranous croup during the
year numbered 34. This mortality is equal to a death-rate of 5.1
per cent. attacked and 0.16 per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared with
a death-rate of 4.2 per cent. attacked and 0.13 per 1,000 inhabitants
for the previous year. The death-rate from diphtheria for London
during the same period is 0.10 per 1,000 inhabitants.
During the year 2,629 swabbings from throats of persons
suspected to be suffering from diphtheria were bacteriologically
examined, of which 317 gave positive results, and 2,212 negative
results.
Diphtheria Anti-toxin.—In accordance with the Anti-toxin
Order of 1910, a supply of diphtheria anti-toxin was provided during
the year, and issued as required to medical practitioners applying
for it in cases of diphtheria or suspected cases of diphtheria amongst
the poorer inhabitants of the Borough. During the year 135 bottles
of anti-toxin of 8,000 units each were supplied to medical practitioners,
most of which was used for prophylactic purposes.
Diphtheria Immunisation.—The active immunisation of persons
against diphtheria with toxoid-antitoxin mixture has been in
progress for some years past, and in London approximately one-half
of the borough councils have established clinics for this purpose.
It may be stated that about 30,000 children under the age of
15 years in Greater London are known to be, or are being, protected
against diphtheria by means of toxoid-antitoxin inoculation.
Diphtheria immunisation is undoubtedly worthy of an extensive
trial. The process has already gained wide acceptance in the
United States of America. In New York State a five-year campaign
against diphtheria was concluded in 1930, and it is interesting to