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57
without success. This does not mean that the work
amongst toddlers generally is hopeless, and it is to be
noted that some 600 toddlers were treated during 1938,
but what are these among so many, because we should
be seeing something in the region of 3,000 toddlers per
year.
There is still what can almost be described as an
inborn prejudice amongst mothers against necessary
prosthetic work (fillings, painting with silver nitrate
solution, etc.) being carried out. This is unfortunate,
because prosthetic work is the basis of a sound dental
scheme.
The Senior Dental Officer's Report will be found on
pages 68-70.
(p) Immunisation Clinic.—The scope of this clinic
has been extended during the year, in that a weekly
session is now held at the Woodward Clinic.
It is not possible to report fully on the benefits of
immunisation for diphtheria in Barking, but I do wish
to say how I deplore the small numbers taking advantage
of this scheme. In another section of this Report
it will be seen that there were 14 deaths from diphtheria
during the year, and this is definitely unsatisfactory
when the means is provided, as part of your
service, whereby children may be prevented from
either contracting the disease or, if they do contract it,
from getting it so severely as to succumb to it.
Rapid and safely produced immunity can be induced
by means of injections and without any unpleasant
effects—452 children were immunised during the year.
Immunisation against scarlet fever and whooping
cough has also been continued throughout the year
and 49 and 45 children respectively completed their
courses of injections.