Íomhá:The Danger Art.IWMPST14193.jpg

whole: the title and text are positioned in the upper third and lower third, in black, held with black borders. Further text is placed in the central third and lower quarter, in black and in white, held within green insets. A large red triangle is located in the upper left and a large red question mark in the centre left and lower left. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: THE DANGER Every year diphtheria strikes down some 60,000 victims - most of them children under ten. Every year 3,000 of these victims die - most of them babies not five years old. WHAT IS DIPHTHERIA? It is a highly infectious and dangerous disease, caused by germs that enter the nose and throat from the breath of other children. It has nothing to do with drains or dirt. WHAT IS IMMUNISATION? Immunisation consists of two, or at most three, injections of a few drops of a specially prepared substance that helps the body to strengthen its natural defences against diphtheria. Good health and a good home are no guarentee against diphtheria germs. IMMUNISATION IS THE ONLY SAFEGUARD AGAINST DIPTHERIA IS IT THE SAME AS VACCINATION? No. Vaccination protects against smallpox. Immunisation protects against diphtheria only. WHAT IS THE BEST AGE? About the first birthday, because the younger the child the greater the risk of death from diphtheria. Another single dose should be given when the child begins school. But it is never too late and every child between 1 and 15 should be immunised. DOES IT UPSET THE CHILD? No. The injection is no more than a pinprick and causes no pain. Children go home and play immediately afterwards. In a few cases there may be a slight swelling but no scar will be left, and there is no need to wear a red ribbon. Remember - Immunisation is the only safeguard against diphtheria NOW IS THE TIME TO HAVE IT DONE PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY J. WEINER LTD. LONDON W.C.1.