HC Deb 08 July 1930 vol 241 c242W
Mr. LLEWELLYN-JONES

asked the Minister of Health whether he can furnish statistics for the decennial periods 15901899, 1900–1909, 1910–1919, and 1920–1929, indicating the average yearly number of notified cases of diphtheria in England and Wales and the average yearly number of fatal cases of diphtheria during each period; and at what date approximately the use of the anti-toxin treatment of diphtheria became general?

Mr. GREENWOOD

The following table gives such particulars as are available:

Average yearly number of—
Cases notified (excluding non-civilians). Deaths (including non-civilians).
1890–1899 not available 7,648
1900–1909 not available 6,599
1910–1919 *49,844 4,922
1920–1929 54,484 3,486
*The average number for the period 1911–19 The first complete record of notifications of infectious diseases in England and Wales was for the year 1911.

As regards the second part of the question. I am advised that anti-toxin was widely used by 1910, when local authorities were first empowered to supply it gratuitously.

Forward to