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Inoculation against whooping cough has been widely practised by
general practitioners but no local evidence has been shown in support
of its usefulness. Carefully controlled research does not appear to
justify official encouragement of this procedure at present. Before official
recognition can be given unreservedly to new measures of this type it is
usually desirable that a high degree of immunity can be guaranteed
which will remain effective for years. This does not, of course, preclude
small scale trials being made as in the cases referred to above. The
position is kept under review as closely as practicable and it is hoped
that further extensions will be possible in the future.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
As it was generally recognised that this form of inoculation could
be depended upon to give reliable results, two immunisation clinics were
established in April, 1937, at Purley and at Selsdon, but with the inauguration
of the National Campaign by the Government in 1941, aided
by all the modern methods of propaganda, including the use of broadcasting,
a much more comprehensive scheme has been practicable.
The following table presents statistically the development of the
work in this District during the war years:—

It will be seen that the number of clinics has been considerably increased
and these have been scattered over the District in order to save residents
travelling unnecessarily, the number of sessions at each varying with the
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