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126
The deaths from diphtheria during the year numbered 5. This
mortality is equal to a death-rate of 2.95 per cent. attacked and
0.024 per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared with a death-rate of 3.31
per cent. attacked and 0.039 per 1,000 inhabitants for the previous
year. The death-rate from diphtheria for London during the same
period is 0.90 per 1,000 inhabitants.
During the year, 2,649 swabbings from throats and noses of
persons suspected to be suffering from diphtheria were bacteriologically
examined, of which 95 gave positive results and 2,554
negative results. At the request of the local branch of the Invalid
Children's Aid Association the Medical Officer of Health took
swabbings from the noses and throats of 186 children who were
about to be admitted to convalescent homes.
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, 30 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 has been available for Hackney residents
since January, 1928, when the Council established a Diphtheria
Immunisation Clinic at No. 28, Lower Clapton Road. The work
of the clinic was supplemented during 1936, by the adoption of a
scheme under which the Council pays a fee to local medical practitioners
for administering immunising injections, and the Council
opened an additional clinic at the new centre at No. 136, Richmond
Road, in October, 1937.
The Council has approved 36 applications from medical practitioners
wishing to take part in the Council's scheme.
During 1938 these medical practitioners referred 199 patients
to the Council's clinics for Schick testing; 27 were found to be
naturally immune and the remaining 172 returned to the medical
practitioners for injections. Since the commencement of this scheme
912 cases have received immunising injections by medical practitioners,
671 of whom have been found to be immune on postimmunisation
Schick Test, 71 failed to complete treatment, and
170 were still under treatment at the end of 1938.
These medical practitioners' cases are included in the table of
the work carried out under the Council's immunisation scheme which
appears below.