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55
Diphtheria Contacts.
Bacteriological Examination of Nose and Tiiroat Swabs.
Total Contacts swabbed 64
Negative . 50
Positive 14
(22 per cent.)
Contacts
swabbed.
Positive Results.
Contacts
positive.
Nose and
Throat.
Nose
only.
Throat
only.
First Examination
Second ,,
Third „
Fourth ,,
61
10
4
1
2
-
-
1
8
2
1
1
4
2
-
-
14 (A)
4
2 (n)
1 (c)
(a) Four of these developed diphtheria before the date for taking the second
swab; they were notified by the doctor in attendance and removed to hospital.
(b) The swabs in one of these two cases were tested for virulence and gave
a positive result. The patient was therefore notified as suffering from diphtheria
and removed to hospital.
(c) The swab front this contact was tested for virulence and found positive.
The patient was therefore notified and removed to hospital.
The parents or others in charge of children harbouring diphtheria bacilli were
given written directions as to the precautions necessary.
The results of the examinations of child contacts were communicated to the
School Medical Department of the London County Council so that children
harbouring diphtheria bacilli could be kept from school providing there was no
evidence that the organisms were avirulent. Three virulence tests were made
in 1926. In two the results were positive and the patients were notified and
removed to hospital.
Diphtheria antitoxin was supplied free of charge on application by medical
practitioners. During the year it was supplied in seven cases.
The Schick Test and Immunisation against Diphtheria.
This work is carried on at the Council's Maternity and Child Welfare Centre,
10, John Street, on Wednesday afternoons.
Enquiries as to the effect of the testing and inoculation on the individual were
made as a routine; we are able to record that any disturbance caused was
negligible.