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14
PREVENTION OF DIPHTH ERIA.—SCHICK TEST AND ANTI-TOXIN INOCULATION.
During the year some consideration has been given to the prevention of Diphtheria
in London by means of the Schick Test and preventive inoculation. One of the metropolitan
borough councils proposed to approach the Ministry of Health and the London
County Council with a view to financial assistance being granted to such councils as adopted
a scheme for carrying out such treatment.
The Schick test has a very definite merit in the practice of preventive medicine. Introduction
of the test was attempted some time since at one of the City Schools, but was not
proceeded with mainly in consequence of the opposition of the pupils' parents. Since then,
however, much experience has been gained and a generous publication of the facts concerning
resulting immunity will do much to remove the apprehension current in the mind of that
section of the public who regard with misgiving the introduction of scientific protective
measures of this nature.
Cumulative and world-wide experience of diphtheria immunisation suggests that it
is efficient and harmless and the period of immunity appears to be of considerable duration,
sufficiently long indeed to tide the child over the age period during which circumstances
most expose him to infection.
The measure is of most utility among children, since the advance of years seems to give
to the individual some naturally acquired immunity from Diphtheria.
The establishment of any scheme for the practice of the Schick test and subsequent
immunisation of the susceptible, would in my opinion be a sound public health measure in
schools and among children generally, and if the measure develops as one would hope, into
a scheme which may well have the effect on diphtheria comparable to inoculation on smallpox,
the subject will doubtless again be brought to the notice of the City Corporation in the form
of concrete proposals for the establishment of an appropriate organisation and an
accompanying campaign of education among the general public.
DISTRIBUTION OF DIPHTHERIA ANTI-TOXIN AND ANTI - IN FLU ENZA VACCINE.
Although City medical practitioners are well aware of the facilities available, no applications
for supplies of diphtheria anti-toxin or anti-influenza vaccine were received during 1927.
INFLUENZA.
The prevalence of Influenza abroad during the early part of the year suggested the
desirability of precautionary measures being instituted in this country in order to minimise
as far as possible the incidence of the disease should it become epidemic.
Leaflets and posters setting out the precautions which should be adopted were prepared
and issued to the larger employers of labour such as Banks, Insurance Companies, Railway
Companies, etc. They were also circulated to City residents and exhibited at the Police
Stations and other places within the City boundary.
A communication was also forwarded to medical men practising within the City enclosing
a copy of the Minister of Health's memorandum on the malady, and offering assistance
with reference to nursing in such cases as came before their notice where difficulty was experienced
in this direction.
A copy of the pamphlet and poster are included in the appendices to this Report.
MEASLES.
In view of the biennial epidemic of Measles which is due at the end of 1927 and the
early part of 1928, those responsible for the public health work of London gave consideration
to the steps which could usefully be taken to modify the measles scheme which has been
in operation since 1921, in order that the machinery for securing through the school organisations
earlier information of cases of measles might be improved. This early information
is more than ever desirable, in view of the recent decision of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board to increase in their hospitals the number of beds available for measles.
It is obvious that the fullest co-operation of parents is essential if the maximum advantage
of any scheme is to be obtained, and with this object, therefore, the following leaflet
was circulated to the parents of children through the agency of
(1) Head teachers of City schools.
(2) Superintendents of City Sunday schools.
(3) The Infant Welfare Centre.