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confirmed and she was not infectious, but as a precautionary
measure her 29 classmates were examined and it was found that
10 (33%) of them were tuberculin positive, indicating that they
had been exposed to infection. Six of the ten were strongly positive.
The rest of the school were then investigated; 314 were found to
be tuberculin negative and 36 (11%,) clearly positive. The existence
of a source of infection in the child's class seemed likely, but none
was discovered on investigation. No cases of tuberculosis have
been reported from the school.
I am most grateful to Dr. Citron, Chest Physician of the Wandsworth
Chest Clinic, for his help in this case.
B.C.G. vaccination of schoolchildren
The vaccination of children against tuberculosis with B.C.G.
(Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) was first introduced in London schools
in 1954 and has now become a routine procedure. This is normally
carried out every year in the autumn and spring terms and this
protective measure is offered to all eligible children aged 13 years.
Children whose skin tests show a negative result and who have
not been subject to tuberculous infection are vaccinated ; children
showing a positive result are referred to the Chest Physicians for
X-ray and any further necessary investigation and treatment.
The following table summarises the results :—

Vaccination against tuberculosis is also available to students in
training colleges. Of 138 students skin tested, 15 were vaccinated.