2 OCTOBER 1936, Page 19

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I was much interested

in the excellent letter from Mr. W. Brend in your issue of September 25th, which gave figures showing that the British social and hygiene administration compares very favourably with that of Germany.

It may interest your readers that the incidence of children's diseases has risen considerably since the advent of the Nazis to power. The following figures are taken from the German Statistical Yearbook, 1935.

Scarlet fever Diphtheria cases. cases.

1932 55,923 85,414 1933 79,830 77,340 1934 110,706 113,396

Furthermore the mortality from these complaints has risen 50 per cent., and in the ease of measles 77.4 per cent., during the same period. This is no doubt due to the measures taken by the Nazis soon after coming to power, result ingin a shortage of lard and other fats.

These figures seem to be a conclusive reply to those people who assert that under the Nazi regime social conditions have improved in Germany, and ask us to embrace the same blessings in this country. --Yours sincerely, 17 Chesterford Gardens, London, N.W. 3. ERWIN KRAFT.