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tested is not great when compared with those in other areas, but the
policy is rather that the people should regard the Schick work as an established
institution than as a " boom " in preventive medicine liable to
subside after the danger from an outbreak of diphtheria has passed away.
The treatment was primarily intended for children under five years, and
is carried out at the four Maternity and Child Welfare Centres in the City.
By arrangement with the school medical authorities, older children in the
same families have been accepted, and, in fact, form almost 40 per cent. of
those treated. In view of the relatively high proportion of susceptibles
among children between the ages of one to five years, the preliminary
testing of these has in some areas been largely given up, but, as Dr.
Thomson says, in Westminster the disparity is not so pronounced as to
warrant this, nor are the parents desirous that the preliminary test should
be eliminated. He lays stress on the need for a re-test after immunisation,
and finds that it is better to postpone the re-test until six months after the
immunising course has been completed. It was formerly held that
immunity should have developed after three months, and it is important
to note the observation that by waiting till the sixth month one obtains
evidence of immunity, while, if one had tested at the third month, a
positive might have resulted and a second immunising course deemed
necessary. In spite of the opinions expressed by some anti-vaccinators,
it is noteworthy that the parents of some 30 infants who had objected
to vaccination on conscientious grounds, having been told of the Schick
work, voluntarily brought their children to be tested and treated.
Report on Schick Testing and Diphtheria Immunisation
Treatment during 1927.
This treatment was started in Westminster towards the end of 1926,
the first cases being dealt with at the Maternity and Child Welfare Centre
at 15, Bessborough Street.
During 1927 weekly clinics were held at each of the Council's three
Welfare Centres and at the Westminster Health Society's Centre at
30, Page Street.
252 children were treated during the year. This may be considered a
fairly satisfactory number when it is remembered that no adults have
been treated and that no extensive propaganda work has been carried
out. The scheme in Westminster has so far aimed only at making the
treatment available for those who wish to take advantage of it. Most
of the patients are obtained through the Health Visitors, who bring the
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