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Within the whole of the Area 70% of the parents accepted in 1956,
which was the same percentage as in 1955. 12% of those tested were
tuberculin positive compared with 8.6%: the mean figures for the two
years being 10% tuberculin positive. There appears to be an increased
reaction to the Mantoux test in 1956 compared with 1955. For 1955
there were 25.7% "strong" Mantoux positive reactions, while in 1956
there were 40.2%.
The B.C.G. vaccination reactions again showed no excessive ulceration
or abscess formation. (2,278 children have now been B.C.G. vaccinated
in this Area under the present scheme). The Mantoux positive children
referred to the chest clinic during the year were all found to be free from
tuberculosis.
The general medical practitioners in the Area have been notified of
the results of Mantoux testing and informed when each child has been
vaccinated.
The staff of the schools visited and the chest physicians have throughout
the year shown the utmost consideration and co-operation.
M.R.C. Clinical Trials with B.C.G.
In 1956 the Medical Research Council published the first progress
report of their Tuberculosis Vaccines Clinical Trials undertaken by
Dr. T. M. Pollock. It has been previously reported that school leavers
in this Area in 1951 volunteered to take part and that they have been
followed up by the health visitors since. The investigation consisted of
a controlled clinical trial of B.C.G. and Vole bacillus vaccines in the
prevention of tuberculosis in adolescent boys and girls. The results in
the test areas appeared satisfactory in so far as the trials indicated that
each vaccine conferred a substantial and similar degree of protection
against tuberculosis over the period of the trial.
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