Cross infection in diphtheria wards

Abstract
1. Evidence is adduced to indicate that cross infection occurred in 36·6% of a series of 246 patients in diphtheria wards.2. In patients who were in hospital longer than 2 months it occurred in 68%.3. Persistence of diphtheria bacilli in the upper respiratory tract was responsible for prolongation of hospitalization in 76% of cases in a series examined.4. In 80% of these cases this persistence was a result of cross infection.5. The administrative importance of cross infection is discussed.