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Schick tested in this Department in May of the previous year
(1936), and being found to be susceptible to diphtheria, immunising
injections were given. These injections were not successful in
protecting her, and a further series of injections were given in
September 1936. When tested after the second series of injections,
the Schick test gave a negative result, indicating that the
second series of injections had been successful in conferring
protection against diphtheria. In spite of this apparent protection
the child was attacked by diphtheria about a year later,
and was removed to hospital as I have already stated. I was
naturally disappointed at this apparent failure, and wrote to Dr.
Ronaldson, the Medical Superintendent of the Fever Hospital to
which she had been admitted, stating the facts and asking for his
guidance. From his report it appears that, although the protective
treatment which we had given her here failed of its immediate
object in preventing an attack of the disease, it may quite well
have been the decisive factor which tipped the balance against
death. The dose of antitoxin administered to this child in
hospital, 432,000 units, is five or six times the maximum dose
administered in an ordinary case of diphtheria, and is described
as " massive ". by Dr. Ronaldson.
In his report Dr. Ronaldson also gives the history of another
Bermondsey patient which is particularly interesting as showing
the vital part which the family doctor played in the treatment of
the patient. I append the report and wish to express my very
great appreciation of his courtesy and my admiration for his skill
and courage.
Dr. Ronaldson's Report :
" A girl aged 7 years 8 months was admitted on 28th
August, 1937, certified as diphtheria. Her previous history
showed that she had received three immunising injections on 4th
May, 1936, but as she was still found to be susceptible the injections
were repeated on 7th September, 1936. After the second
series of injections a Schick test showed apparent immunity.
" Her attack of diphtheria was of an unusually virulent nature
and the diagnosis was confirmed by cultures both before and after