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If the clinical evidence is not sufficient and it is necessary
to take a swab, anti-toxin should be administered at once
and not delayed until the report is received from the
Pathologist.
Anti-toxin.—During the year a supply of anti-toxin
was kept in the Public Health Department, the Hammersmith
Hospital and the West London Hospital, for the use
of Medical Practitioners attending patients residing in
the Borough.
No difficulty was experienced in removing cases to
Hoepital, the accommodation available being adequate for
the number of cases.
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION.
It was decided in July, 1938, that the method of
Diphtheria Immunisation then in use, i.e., the A.P.T. (one
shot) method was not satisfactory, by reason of the high
percentage of children showing a positive reaction after
Post Schick Testing, and accordingly the Council adopted
my recommendation that this method should cease.
The scheme now in use provides that all the immunising
material is provided by the Council free of charge, and the
treatment consists of two injections of A.P.T. (.1 and .5)
or three doses of T.A.M., at fortnightly intervals, the
Doctors to receive a fee of 2s. 6d. for each injection given.
A satisfactory comparison cannot yet be given between
the old 1 and the new 2 "shot" A.P.T. method as to
the results of the Post Schick Testing.
It is again to be regretted that the numbers of children
immunised continue to fall.
The following are the particulars of the work done under
the immunisation scheme during the year:—
Number of children who received immunising dose
or doses 439