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time, hence, especially as the disease which is thus prevented or reduced
in severity is normally a very serious infection, the question of accepting
the free treatment offered to all pre-school children should be very
carefully considered by all parents.
IMMUNISATION.
The Council has established two Immunisation Clinics, which
commenced activity in April, 1937. These Clinics are held at 69, Brighton
Road, Purley, and at the Baptist Church, Addington Road, Selsdon.
At the present time the facilities are limited to inoculation for the
prevention of diphtheria. Arrangements are, however, in force for
immunisation against measles, whooping cough or scarlet fever whereby
persons may for special reasons be referred to the Centre at Great
Ormond Street Hospital by the Medical Officer of Health. No
applications were received during the year for cases wishing to avail
themselves of these arrangements.
No attempts have been made to persuade persons to have then
children immunised, other than the circulation during health visitation
or attendance at the Centres, of a pamphlet briefly stating the case for
diphtheria immunisation and the local arrangements. To date it has
been possible to give definite appointments to all cases, and the arrangements
have been much appreciated by those who have attended.
Treatment is provided free for all children who, on application, are under
5 years of age, but in the case of older children a charge of 6d. is made
for the initial test, and if further treatment is required, a total charge
of 5s. Od. is made, which covers the cost of materials if a sufficient
number of children can be treated at a time. A charge of 12/6d. per
course for children not resident in the Urban District was decided upon
in November, 1938.
The only prophylactic used has been Toxoid-Antitoxin Floccules
(T.A.F.), which has the great advantage, not only of producing a high
degree of immunity with a low relapse rate, but the minimum of reaction
in the recipient. None of the cases treated to date have complained of
anything which could be associated with the injection more severe
than a slight local soreness on the day of treatment, while the vast
majority noticed nothing more than the slight prick of the needle.
Injections are given at intervals of from two to four weeks, and the
result is tested by the Schick Test at least three months after the final
injection.
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