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50
Inoculations—
New patients 278
Old „ 10
288
Total immunised (including one 1930 patient and
four 1931 patients) 46
Patients still on register at end of year 125*
Discontinued treatment 29
The total number of patients immunised or found by test to
be immune is 81, out of a total of 193 patients who have attended
during the year (42 per cent.). Since the opening of the clinic
993 patients have attended, and of these 689 have been immunised
or found immune by test (69.5 per cent.).
Dr. F. Porter Smith, Medical Officer in charge of the Clinic,
reports as follows:—
"The Battersea Diphtheria Prevention Clinic has shown a
definite increase of attendance of new cases during 1933-34, although
one is forced to admit that this represents only a trifling proportion
of the population of the Borough. The clinic has been in existence
long enough to prove that there is absolutely no danger, or inconvenience,
attached to the treatment. The injections give little or
no pain, and mothers have no difficulty in bringing their children
for subsequent injections. As we are all aware, Diphtheria is a
fatal and crippling disease, and the old saying "Prevention is better
than cure" was never more true than in the case of this dread
disease. There is no other method of preventing Diphtheria, and
also there is the definite recommendation of the Ministry of Health,
plus fifteen years of experience, that this treatment is both safe and
efficacious. The clinic at "Southlands" (2 to 5 p.m., Wednesday)
is equipped with the latest scientific appliances, and the Medical
Officer attending is always willing to interview and advise parents."
In view of the remarkable results which have been recorded in
New York and other large cities of U.S.A. and in most great centres
of population by this invaluable method of preventive inoculation
against Diphtheria, by which the incidence and death-rate from this
deadly menace to child life has been greatly reduced, it is regrettable
that more use is not made by the inhabitants of the Borough of the
facilities provided, free of cost, by the Council to safeguard their
children from the risk of infection.
Acute Polio-Myelitis and Polio-Encephalitis.
No case of acute Polio-Myelitis was notified in Battersea
during 1933.
One death was recorded from chronic polio-myelitis, the patient
being temporarily resident at the time in Cornwall. Efforts to
trace the earlier history of this case were fruitless.
* Includes 3 patients (1932) and 16 (1933) negative alter first test, who are
to attend again for re-test.