London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Holborn 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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Analysis of the swab results relating to the contacts is given below:-
| Contacts swabbed. | positive Results. | Contacts positive. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nose and Throat. | Throat only. | Nose only. | |||
| First Examination | 71 | 4 | 20 | 2 | 26* |
| Second ,, | 21 | - | 9 | - | 9 |
| Third „ | 9 | - | - | - | - |
* 4 positive contacts removed to L.C.C Fever Hospital and 1 to General 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 if there was evidence that
the organisms were virulent.
Diphtheria antitoxin was available free of charge on application by medical
practitioners. 50,000 units were supplied for three cases.
Diphtheria "Carriers." Information was received from the School Medical
Officer (L.C.C.) of four children excluded from school as suspected diphtheria
"carriers."
The Schick Test and Immunisation against Diphtheria.
This work has been carried on since 1922 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. The use of toxoid antitoxin does away with the risk of accident incurred
by using improperly-made toxin antitoxin.