Diphtheria is one of the most deadly children's diseases
A close photograph of a laughing toddler carries the text that diphtheria is one of the most deadly children's diseases. The contrast between the healthy child and the stated risk is the fear appeal; the visible poster gives no statistics and no instruction.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1939
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- H.M. Stationery Office (issuing department not named on the poster); printed by Multi Machine Plates Ltd, London
- Region
- Western and Central Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- State
- Regime
- Churchill Government
- Leader
- Winston Churchill
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Warn or inform
- Themes
- Health, Home front
- Event
- World War II
- Leader
- Winston Churchill
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Foreign Posters, retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (UK Crown copyright, 50 years from publication, expired before 1996; no URAA restoration)
H.M. Stationery Office, printed by Multi Machine Plates Ltd. NARA, World War II Foreign Posters, 44-PF-207a.
Text on the object
DIPHTHERIA IS ONE OF THE MOST DEADLY CHILDREN'S DISEASES PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY MULTI MACHINE PLATES LTD. LONDON E.C.4. 51-2571
