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60
—those going Bast were protected against smallpox, typhoid and the paratyphoid
fevers, cholera, dysentery and plague. Who can show that they suffered any
harm by taking advantage of the progress of science?
The Schick test and immunisation against diphtheria is already being
successfully applied to the nursing and domestic staffs in certain hospitals, including
those of the Metropolitan Asylums Board. Moreover it is becoming more and
more the rule for nurses on the staffs of infectious diseases hospitals to be
immunised against the diseases they might contract as the result of their being
in contact with infectious patients.
Diphtheria Contacts.
Bacteriological Examination of Nose and Throat Swabs.
Total Contacts swabbed 32
Negative 6
Positive 26
(12.5 per cent.)
Contacts
swabbed.
Positive Results.
Nose and
Throat.
Nose
only.
Throat
only.
Contacts
positive.
First Examination 32 — 6 — 6
Second ,, 6 1 2 — 3
Third „ 3 — 3 — 3*
Fourth ,, — — — — —
The swabs from these contacts were tested for virulence and found nonvirulent.
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 1027, all being found avirulent.
Diphtheria antitoxin was available free of charge on application by medical
practitioners.
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.
Inquiries 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.