View report page

Anti-toxin is also available for distribution to general medical
practitioners and can be obtained at any hour of the day and night
from the Town Hall or during the day at the Dulwich Municipal
Baths. I have previously referred to the importance of administering
anti-toxin whenever this disease is suspected and to the necessity
of not waiting for the result of the bacteriological report of the swab,
when there are clinical signs and symptoms of the disease present.
During the year 102 phials of 8,000 units and 27 phials of 500 units
of anti-toxin were issued to medical practitioners.
Diphtheria Carriers.
Some children harbour virulent diphtheria bacilli for prolonged
periods in their throat and nose and are a source of potential danger
to persons with whom they come into contact. The London County
Council has established special out-patient clinics at certain hospitals
for the treatment of these cases.
Diphtheria Immunisation Clinic.
Facilities for immunisation treatment without any charge to
the residents of Camberwell have been available in this Borough
since 1926. This clinic is held weekly at the Mayward House
Infant Welfare Centre and it is gratifying to note that the number of
children who passed through the Clinic during 1937 constituted a
record.
An endeavour has recently been made to confer a degree of
protection hitherto unattempted anywhere in dipththeria immunisation
clinics. A course of three injections of Alum Precipitated
Toxoid has been given to those attending in a dosage of 0.1 c.c.,
0.3 c.c. and 0.5 c.c. at fortnightly intervals. In the past this
substance has been extensively given as one or at the most two
injections. Sufficient children have not yet been re-tested for an
authoritative statement to be made, but results so far are most
promising. It is hoped that a degree of immunity will be produced
which will serve to protect children from even the most virulent
forms of diphtheria infection. The older methods have been
proved to protect quite adequately against the ordinary moderate
forms of diphtheria attack, but occasionally the defence has broken
down in the face of attacks by the more virulent strains of the
organism. Time alone can prove how far the new method will
succeed in its object, but theoretically there should be a marked
improvement in the defence against grave diphtheria.
Certificates are issued to the parents of children immunised
and those found to be naturally immune to the disease. This
certificate serves as a valuable guide to medical practitioners when
they are asked to see patients with doubtful throats. The certificates
read as follows:—
This is to certify that the above-named child has been
tested and immunised and is believed to be protected against