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In June and September, 1926, the Schick treatment in the school was brought up
to date by touting all the boys who had joined the school since the previous treatment,
and re-testing those who had received immunizing treatment, except a few who had
left the school in the interval. Forty new boys were tested and 15 were found to ba
positive. The latter were given three immunizing doses at intervals of one week. Fourteen
cases were re-tested, and five of these still showed a positive result. One boy left
the school at this time; the other four were given a second series of three immunizing
doses each.
It may be noted that of the five cases which gave a positive result after re-testing,
three had only very slight reactions and were marked as (?) positive, while a fourth had
had a pseudo-positive reaction on the first occasion and had apparently not received the
immunizing treatment. Thus, out of fourteen re-tested, only one gave a definite positive
reaction after receiving immunization treatment.
In March, 1927, all the boys then in the school were re-tested. Out of 11 new
entrants who had not had treatment, four gave definite positive results and two others very
slight reactions. The boy who had Diphtheria in June, 1926, but had had no previous
test or treatment, gave a very marked positive result. Another boy who was positive at
the first test and negative at the second showed a well-marked positive result at the third
test. With this exception, all the 63 old case3 were negative.
Notes.
Ages.—The ages of the boys vary between 9 and 14, but the majority are between
10 and 13, so little difference can be expected in different age groups. An analysis of the
31 boys tested in June, 1926, did not show any preponderance of positive results among
the younger boys.
Ages 9 10 11 12 13 14
Boys tested 4 9 8 7 3 0
Found positive 2 3 1 4 2 0
Length of time in School.—The following table suggests that there is a much higher
percentage of positives among boys who have recently come to the school. After six
months many may have been exposed to a sufficient number of sub-infective doses to
allow natural insusceptibility to develop. New entrants are not necessarily younger
boys. Many enter at 12 and 13.
Tested. Positive.
In school less than 6 months 14 9
,, from 6 to 12 months 13 3
,, from 12 to 18 months 7 2
34 14
Reactions.—There were no reactions of any note. One boy complained of chill and
feverishness on the day following his second immunizing dose, which may have been due
to reaction. Another stated he had a stiff arm some days after the same dose. He had
been recently vaccinated and was at the time having a course of Pituitrin injections for
nocturnal eneuresis.
Diphtheria.—One case occurred in June, 1926, and four positive swabs were obtained
from boys without symptoms. One of the carriers was absent when the first tests were
done. The others came to the school after the tests, including the one who actually had
Diphtheria.
(6026) c 2