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94
It will be seen that diphtheria was most prevalent in the
Clapton Park Ward of the Borough.

The deaths from diphtheria during the year numbered 11.
This mortality is equal to a death-rate of 3.8 percent. attacked and
0.05 per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared with a death-rate of 4.2 percent.
attacked and 0.06 per 1,000 inhabitants for the previous year.
The death-rate from diphtheria for London during the same period
is 0.07 per 1,000 inhabitants.
During the year 1,672 swabbings from throats of persons
suspected to be suffering from diphtheria were bacteriologically
examined, of which 162 gave positive results, and 1,510 negative
results.
Diphtheria Anti-toxin.—In accordance with the Anti-toxin
Order of 1910, a supply of diphtheria anti-toxin is provided by
the Council 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 64 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.
The Diphtheria Immunisation Clinic was opened at the Central
Maternity and Child Welfare Centre, No. 28, Lower Clapton Road,
on the 6th January, 1928, Dr. F. Porter-Smith being the Medical
Officer in charge.
Infants and children from one year of age are treated, and
very encouraging results have been obtained, as shown in the
following table:—