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In the case of very young children, treatment was sometimes given
without the preliminary test. Such cases would usually give positive
results if the test were performed, and by omitting it one injection is
avoided. In many cases the parents prefer to have the test done,
however.

Four of the nine negative cases under 5 years of age had definitely
been in contact with diphtheria, and 3 others belonged to large families
who were all negative and who had therefore probably been in contact
with infection.
Six cases were under treatment at the end of the year, 2 stopped
treatment after the test, and 8 others stopped after two injections owing
to illness or for family reasons. In some cases, two injections have been
found sufficient to give the desired immunity.
The protective treatment takes at least three months to have its full
effect. It is customary to repeat the Schick test about six months after
treatment in order to demonstrate that the patient has obtained the
desired protection. Since the treatment was started in Westminster
about 60 per cent. of those who required and were due for this retest
have received it. During 1929, retests were performed on 127 cases; of
these, 112 were negative, having been positive at the initial test before
treatment; 11 were still slightly positive or doubtfully negative; 9 of
these received two more protective doses each and three of them were
negative at a second retest. The others have not yet received the second
retest. Two children (brothers) were unable to attend for the reading of
the retest. Two young children were retested as the primary result was
indefinite. The second tests were positive and the children received
treatment.
One child who had received treatment followed by a negative retest
was notified as suffering from diphtheria and was removed to hospital.
The hospital reported that the diagnosis of diphtheria was not confirmed
and the child was sent home in a few days.