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England and Wales in 1926), it is time to turn to prevention, and
forwarding - looking Local Authorities have approved of the
measures next to be described.
The Schick Test and Immunisation against Diphtheria.— It is
now possible to determine by a harmless and practically painless
test whether any child is susceptible to Diphtheria or not.
Should the test shew that any child is liable to the disease, it
may then be given three doses at weekly intervals of an immunising
preparation, known as Diphtheria Toxoid-anti-toxin mixture
which, within three to six months in over 90 per cent. of cases, will
render the child immune probably for ten years, if not indefinitely.
No accidents have been known to follow the use of the mixture as
used in England and Scotland, nor are bad arms produced at the
time of the injections.
The test and immunising procedure is now officially advocated
by the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, who adheres
to the conclusion, that this method of active immunisation is a safe,
practicable, and effective method of prevention.
By the end of 1927, the Councils of no less than nine of the
London Boroughs had begun or had authorised the provision of
facilities for offering active immunisation against Diphtheria.
Work was begun in Stoke Newington in October. The Medical
Officer of Health himself performed the tests and gave the treatment
twice weekly before the two doctor's sessions at the Child
Welfare Centres.
There was a ready response from the mothers attending the
welfare centres, and many parents also brought their schoolchildren.
The best time for the immunising treatment is early in the
second year of life. Children up to school age are nearly all
susceptible, and, may be treated without the test; children of school
age should be tested, for many children become naturally immune
with advancing years, and the susceptible ones only then need
immunising.