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155
Leaflets of instruction are given to the parents of the patients
on the removal of the patient, and on his discharge from hospital.
Some children harbour, in their throats or noses, virulent diphtheria
bacilli for prolonged periods, sometimes for years. They are a
source of potential danger to the rest of the family and to the
school children and others with whom they come into contact.
The London County Council has established three clinics for the
treatment of diphtheria carriers—at Guy's Hospital; the Hospital
for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street; aad St. Mary's Hospital.
Treatment for these carriers may be obtained by application to
the School Medical Officer (S.H.3), the County Hall, London,
S.E.I.
Immunisation Clinic.—The clinic for the immunisation of
persons against diphtheria held weekly at the Pine Street Centre,
and the propaganda carried out to encourage attendance, have
been continued.
A special leaflet for parents, with application form attached,
is sent to the mother of every baby at the age of one year, and
is distributed by the Health Visitors and Sanitary Inspectors,
as mentioned in my Report for 1935. The Centre Superintendents
and the Assistant Medical Officers also endeavour to secure the
co-operation of parents. Posters urging parents to protect their
children against diphtheria are displayed throughout the Borough
at frequent intervals.
Special leaflets have been distributed and re-distributed at the
London County Schools in the Borough. This is carried out regularly
three times a year.
Special certificates are issued to the parents of children
immunised, and those found to be naturally immune are also given
a certificate. The preservation of these certificates by the parents
is important and should be a valuable guide to medical practitioners
when they are called upon to deal with doubtful throats in such
patients.
Unfortunately, in spite of continuous propaganda, the Clinic
is very sparsely attended.