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Infective Diseases. 23
Diphtheria.
568 cases occurred, compared with 709 in 1927. The
number of deaths was 15, compared with 23 in 1927. The
death-rate for 1928 was .04 and the case mortality was 0-4
per cent.
The rate per 1,000 of population was 1.60:— 1.54 in
Clapham; 1.41 in Putney; .78 in Balham; 1.14 in Streatham;
1.56 in Tooting; and 2.42 in Wandsworth.
Of the 568 cases, 551, or 97 per cent., were removed to
hospital and no difficulty was experienced in having cases
promptly removed.
The Medical Officers of the London County Council made
inspections of the Parochial School, Old Town, Clapham ; Huntingfield
Road and St. Mary's Schools, Putney; Fircroft Road and
Smallwood Road Schools, Balham; Eardley Road School,
Streatham; and Earlsfield, Elliott Central, Eltringham Street,
Garratt Lane, Littleton Street Special, Swaffield Road, Warple
Way, and West Hill Schools, Wandsworth.
Swabs were taken from the throats of some of the children
examined. As the result of this swabbing, seven cases were
found to be positive. All the cases were swabbed again and
not re-admitted to school until a negative result was obtained.
Every positive or suspicious case was visited and all necessary
precautions taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
During the year 60 tubes of anti-toxin were issued to
medical practitioners for use in cases of Diphtheria.
The Council's Clinics for Immunisation against
Diphtheria.
In November, 1927, the Council decided to establish two
Clinics in the Borough at which parents could have their
children tested to see if they are susceptible to Diphtheria
and for the immunisation of those found to be susceptible.
A leaflet describing the procedure has been drawn up and
this is distributed by the Council's Officers when visiting homes