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Diphtheria Carriers.—There is a clinic for diphtheria carriers held at St. Mary's Hospital, to
•which 8 cases were referred by the Public Health Department during the year.
Anti-Diphtheritic Serum.—This is supplied to medical practitioners on request for the use of
patients resident in the Borough who are too poor to obtain such serum privately. During the year
18 phials of 8,000 units, 1 phial of 500 units, and 16 phials of 100 units were distributed.
Diphtheria Immunisation.—A clinic was inaugurated in 1933 for the immunisation of children
against diphtheria, and is at present held at the Welfare Centre, 283a, Harrow Road, in charge of
the Assistant Medical Officer for Maternity and Child Welfare (Dr. Emslie).
Towards the end of 1934 the Council, after consultation with local representatives of the medical
profession, decided to introduce a scheme for enlisting the services of private medical practitioners
in the work of diphtheria immunisation. The scheme provides for payment to a practitioner for
immunising treatment given to any child between the ages of one year and twelve years whose parent
or guardian cannot reasonably be expected to afford a private fee for such treatment. All Schick
testing for the purpose of ascertaining whether a child is susceptible to diphtheria is done by the
Medical Officer of the Council's diphtheria immunisation clinic at the Welfare Centre, 283a, Harrow
Road. During the year the scheme was amended to provide for the payment to a medical practitioner
of a fee of 2s. 6d. for each injection given and for the provision of the necessary material free of charge.
In the case of a child sent to the clinic for a pre-immunisation test, the result of which is negative,
a fee of 2s. 6d. only is payable. The practitioner is responsible for any subsequent medical attention
that may be necessary.
The sending of a birthday card to each child in the Borough on its attaining the age of one year,
incorporating information for the parents as to the advantages of immunisation, has been continued,
together with the distribution of leaflets through the schools and the exhibition of posters at the
Council's establishments and on the street orderly bins. The co-operation of the majority of the
local chemists was also secured in the distribution of leaflets to selected customers.
Dr. Emslie's report on the work carried out at the Clinic during the year is as follows:—
"The numbers for 1938 show a slight increase, but it is disappointing that such a small proportion
of parents seek protection for their children. None of the children have had serious indisposition
after the injections and the results have been satisfactory."