Diphtheria of the umbilicus is a disease that is seldom recognized clinically. In his book, "Diseases of the Umbilicus," Cullen quotes but two cases. In a review of the literature I have been able to find sixty cases described as diphtheria of the umbilicus. These cases could be divided into three classes: (1) those showing no clinical evidence of infection but only positive cultures from a somewhat moist umbilicus, (2) those showing only a slight caseous deposit with positive cultures and (3) those with more extensive evidence of infection.
The case reported here is that of an infant with umbilical diphtheria complicated by diphtheritic myocarditis and diaphragmatic paralysis. A complete postmortem study is given.
REPORT OF A CASE
History.—J. F. McK. was seen in consultation with Dr. Harris on March 29, 1929, at 41 days of age. The family history was essentially unimportant. The child's birth was rather