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18
FOOD CONDEMNED AS A RESULT OF
AIR RAID DAMAGE.
Groceries 7½ lbs.
Beans 6 tins
Vegetables 20 lbs.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
(Section F.)
IMMUNISATION AGAINST DIPHTHERIA.
The Council's diphtheria immunisation scheme, which lias
been in operation for five years, consists of special immunisation
sessions at Centres 1,2, 3 and 4 on the first, second, third and
fourth Saturday morning in each month. The immunising
material used is Toxoid antitoxin follicles (T.A.F.) —three
doses of 1 c.c. at intervals of one month.
Satisfactory progress is being made and there is a steady
flow of children at each of the centres.
Tn addition, immunisation is carried out of young babies at
the infant welfare centres and of school children in the schools.
About 40 per cent, of school children are immunised or in
process of being immunised and 60 per cent, of pre-school
children. Parents now appreciate that the process is simple,
safe, painless, free from reaction and entirely harmless. There
is also no doubt that in all but a very small minority of children
it produces a real and lasting immunity. In the rare event of
an attack of diphtheria after immunisation, the illness is mild
and the danger of death is practically removed.
In these circumstances parents who fail to have their
children immunised against diphtheria are taking upon themselves
a heavy responsibility, for which they may have reason
to be sorry if this treacherous disease enters the household. For
it is a treacherous disease—stealing in unsuspected and doing
its deadly work so stealthily that a young child may be moribund
before the disease is diagnosed.
It is frequently stated—sometimes on high authority—that
there has been no reduction in the mortality from diphtheria