History with Diphtheria?

I have to do an assignement about a short story called "The Use of Force." I need to know some info about history.. and what happened in that time when a child was diagnosed

before the 1880's when the antitoxin was developed, there was little anyone could do. Here is the link you need to complete your assignment:
http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Diph...

I guess what you need to get a feel of, or rather pin down is the year the story was set in. Wm. Carlos Williams wrote it in 1952.

Am not sure if this will help but here you go.

Now rare in developed countries, diphtheria was a common cause of death in children until immunisation became routine. In this disease, the bacterium corynebacterium diphtheriae multiplies in the throat and may release toxins into the blood. The infection is usually transmitted through airbourne droplets from coughs or sneezes of infected people.

Diphtheria bacteria may also infect the skin. This form of the disease, known as cutaneous diphtheria, is more common in tropical countries but it can affect people elsewhere, especially if their standards of hygiene are poor. Outbreaks of diphtheria tend to occur among overcrowded communties.

Diphtheria may be diagnosed from the symptoms but a throat swabs is taken first for confirmation. Most people recover fully if treated immediately with antibiotics, and antitoxin injections in hospital. Routine immunisation in children and boosters in adults provide protection against the disease.