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89
I beg to make the following report on the working of the Diphtheria
Immunisation Clinic held at Wellington Road
The weekly attendance, which had been far from satisfactory during
the previous year, shewed a gradual diminution, and this in spite of
every effort to make known to the residents of the Borough the presence
of such an important Clinic. Under the circumstances I felt obliged to
suggest that the Clinic be closed, until such time as the demand for
protection against Diphtheria warranted the expense of the upkeep of
the Clinic. The Clinic was closed at the end of June, 1930—two further
sessions were held in the following October, to complete outstanding
cases. I find it extremely difficult to account for the lack of response on
the part of parents to avail themselves of such a simple and perfectly
safe method of protection against Diphtheria. In a neighbouring Borough
a similar Clinic has been working for three and a-half years, and the
attendance, which has always been very good, has shewn a marked increase
during the last year. I mentioned in a previous report the main difficulties
of this style of Clinic—(1) The difficulty in arranging one Clinic which
would be readily accessible to residents of all parts of the Borough;
(2) The loss of school attendance marks to the children (in some cases).
At the request of the London County Council, and the parents, I have
immunised a few children from Poplar, at the neighbouring Clinic of
Hackney. The work at the Clinic at Wellington Road was quite
satisfactory and the few parents who attended appeared extremely
grateful.
F. PORTER SMITH.
DIPHTHERIA ANTI-TOXIN.
134,000 units of diphtheria anti-toxin were issued to medical
practitioners during the year.
The supply of anti-toxin is kept at the Public Health Office and is
available day or night for the use of medical practitioners in the Borough.
Care is taken to see that old stock is renewed in accordance with the
instructions on each phial.
ENTERIC FEVER.
Six notifications were received (of which four related to Paratyphoid
Fever), and the patients were removed to hospital, the attack-rate being
0.04 per 1,000 of population.
No deaths occurred.