View report page

59
diphtheria immunization clinic.
I am indebted to Dr. W. R. Martine, the Assistant Medical
Officer of Health, who has done the clinical work of this clinic,
for the following particulars.
From the ever-continued demand of parents that their children
should have prophylactic treatment against Diphtheria, it would
appear that this Clinic has come to stay. The only propaganda
undertaken has been to inform parents at School Medical Examinations,
at School Clinics, and at Infant Welfare Centres, that the
treatment is available for their children if they so desire. The
principle of immunizing those requesting treatment, and not in
any way attempting to convert those antagonistic or apathetic, has
been adhered to. The effects of, and results from, "immunization"
are clearly explained to each parent on first attendance at the Clinic,
and on Schick Test subsequent to immunization, parents are
given definitely to understand that it is impossible to guarantee
that any individual immunized, and found on examination thereafter
to be Schick negative, will never contract Diphtheria, but
that, should this occur, the attack will be mild in character without
risk to the individual of the grave complications which render the
disease such a serious one. An acquired immunity may slowly be
lost or reduced, and the resistance of the individual may subsequently
break down before an especially virulent infection; yet the
attack is mild by comparison with that of the Schick Positive or
unprotected child. A gratifying feature of the work has been the
number of families introduced to the Clinic by friends and neighbours
who have had or are having treatment. It might also be
noted here that there has been little or no difficulty experienced in
gaining the co-operation of the parents and children to ensure the
completion of treatment, once begun. The policy of allowing
immunization to do its own propaganda is definitely showing
success.
After an incomplete year's work in 1934, during which a second
weekly session had been found necessary, the current year commenced
with 265 children whose treatment had not been completed.
The numbers on the waiting list increased so rapidly that it became
imperative, by the month of October, to hold a third session each
week. All sessions were held at the Lodge Road Clinic until
November, when one was transferred to the Selhurst Road Clinic,
in an endeavour to cope with a sudden increased demand, brought
about by two small localised epidemics of Diphtheria in schools, in
that area.