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Before the scheme is definitely started, it has generally been
found desirable to advertise its advantages by—
(1) Posters on the notice boards and sand-bins of the local
authority.
(2) Leaflets distributed by the —
Health visitors to mothers.
Sanitary inspectors visiting notified cases of diphtheria.
Head Teachers of elementary schools to their scholars
for taking home.
(3) Talks at the Infant Welfare Centres by the Assistant
Medical Officer of Health.
It must be emphasised that before any injection is made the
consent of the mother or guardian must be obtained, preferably in
writing. A printed form is used for the purpose, which only needs
the written signature of a parent. If this signature is not obtained
the injections are not given.
Recommendations.
It is recommended that a scheme be adopted in Finsburv—
(a) For conferring immunity against diphtheria upon
children from 1 to 5 years without a previous Schick test.
(b) That for children of school age a preliminary Schick
test be made and that toxoid antitoxin immunity be conferred
upon the susceptibles thus indicated.
It is estimated that if the scheme be adopted the cost for the
first year will probably be from £60 to £100 —a small sum in comparison
with the number of lives which would be undoubtedly
saved.
This recommendation was accepted by the Finsbury Borough
Council. A further report will be issued in 1928.
Scarlet Fever. —There were 242 notifications of scarlet fever in
1927. Of these, 13 were subsequently sent home as not suffering
from scarlet fever, leaving 229 true cases.* There were 2 deaths.
All the patients were treated in hospital.
The cases treated at home were kept under observation, suitable
measures were adopted to secure isolation and the premises were
disinfected upon the recovery of the patient.
*The cases stated not to be suffering from Scarlet Fever were reported
to be suffering from: —Chicken pox I, diphtheria 2, erysipelas, measles and
diphtheria I, erythema I, erythema and enteritis I, measles I, tonsilitis 3,
and " not scarlet fever " 3.