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It is interesting to record that, apart from one or two
instances of stiffness and tenderness of the arm, there were no ill
effects resulting from the treatment given at the Clinic during
the year.
There were, however, 3 cases of diphtheria notified in children
who had received partial treatment.
In two instances the patients had received two protective
injections and the third patient three injections, but had not been
re-Schicked.
There was also another case of a boy aged 3½ years who
some months after he had received treatment at the Prevention
Clinic and who was believed to be immune, had a sore throat
with signs of exudate yielding, on culture, microscopic diphtheria
bacilli, who was regarded as suffering from diphtheria, but in
three days this patient had recovered without any treatment.
The observations of the Medical Officer at the Clinic with
regard to this case are to be found in the subjoined report of Dr.
Bousfield on the year's work.
If this was a true case of diphtheria then the immunisation
treatment given had unquestionably proved its value, in that it
set up such a resistance that it enabled the patient to throw off
the attack in a few days.
In my opinion the scheme has well merited its introduction,
and the results are extremely satisfactory.
It will naturally take some time before the general public
realise to the full the benefits to be derived from a scheme of this
kind, as the same objections that exist in a community where a
certain section have an extreme feeling against vaccination also
apply in the case of active immunisation against diphtheria. An
intensive propaganda campaign is the only way to counter this
opposition.
In this regard I desire to acknowledge the assistance rendered
by the L.C.C., who authorised the Head Teachers of the
elementary schools in the Borough to distribute a leaflet to the
scholars with a view to bringing to the notice of their parents the
facilities provided by the Council.
Report of Medical Officer in charge Camberwell Diphtheria
Clinic.
An analysis of the first year's work of the Diphtheria Prevention
Clinic reveals some interesting facts.
Reference to chart 1 shows that a very high rate of susceptibility
to diphtheria exists throughout the whole of school age,
but particularly up to the age of 12 years.
Attendance. The highest rates of attendance for any age
groups has been among children of 5 to 6, 6 to 7, and 7 to 8 years
respectively. This is eminently satisfactory, as it means that the