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leaflet distributed through the elementary schools in the Borough,
and also through other channels should occasion arise, as, for
example, after a case of diphtheria has occurred in a household,
etc. The leaflet should explain the purpose of the Clinic and the
value of toxoid-antitoxin inoculation.
This is considered necessary as there is a considerable amount
of prejudice existing to-day against any form of protective measure
which involves inoculation.
The following is a draft of the suggested leaflet:—
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF POPLAR.
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION.
To Parents and Guardians.
Diphtheria is a dangerous disease, causing great loss of life.
In England and Wales 80 of every 100 deaths from this disease are
of young children under 10 years of age, and most are under 5
years.
Some children, and grown up people, do not catch diphtheria
because they are protected by nature against it—they are immune.
Other children who are not immune may contract the disease,
but they can be made immune, that is to say they can be protected
against the infection of diphtheria.
How Can This Protection be Secured?
By a simple and painless test it is possible to find out whether
your child is susceptible to diphtheria infection. The test is quickly
made, with no pain, beyond a needle prick, either at the time or
afterwards. If the test shows that your child is not protected owing
to the absence of protective substances in the blood, it can be inoculated
and rendered immune by the injection of a small quantity
of protecting fluid once a week for (usually) three weeks.
Nearly all children are protected by these three injections, but
to make sure, the child should be tested again at the end of three
months, and, if necessary, one or two further injections made.