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20
Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1929.
The two Clinics were opened in the first week of January,
1928, at the premises of the Springfield and Balham Infant
Welfare Centres under arrangements made with the Committees
of those Centres. A weekly session is held at each Clinic and
the work is carried out by the Council's Staff.
The addresses and times of the Clinics are as follows:—
Springfield Infant Welfare Centre,
The Congregational Hall,
Earlesfield Road (Garratt Lane end).
Every Wednesday afternoon from 2 to 3.30 p.m.
Balham Infant Welfare Centre,
91, Bedford Hill,
Balham.
Every Friday afternoon from 2 to 3.30 p.m.
The Clinics are intended for the immunisation of children
and those adults who are brought into close and frequent contact
with children.
Method of Procedure:—The following is the routine
procedure:—A Schick test is performed on all adults and on
children over 5 years of age at their first visit, and the result
is read on the second attendance a week later. If the result is
positive, showing susceptibility to Diphtheria, the first immunising
injection of 1 c.c. of Toxoid Anti-toxin mixture is given on the
same day. Second and third injections of the same strength
are given at intervals of a week.
As experience has shown that the large majority of children
under 5 years of age give a positive Schick test, the procedure
is modified in their case by omitting the preliminary test, the
first immunising injection being administered at the first attendance.
This has the advantage of reducing the number of attendances
from four to three.
Attendances:—The number of persons who have attended
at the Clinics was 1,169 in 1928, and 647 in 1929, making a