London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Coulsdon and Purley 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
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The following Table shows the numbers treated during the year 1938:—
| Number of sessions 48 |
| Number subjected to primary Schick Test 19 |
| Number found positive 18 |
| Number found negative 1 |
| Number who received or completed the full course of treatment during 1938 53 |
| Under 5 years 30 |
| Over 5 years 23 |
| Number tested in 1938 by the Schick Test after receiving treatment 67 |
| Number found negative 64 |
| Number found positive 3 |
| Number awaiting final Schick Test on 31st December, 1938 22 |
| Total number treated or tested during the year 95 |
It may be noticed that of the 19 cases subjected to the primary
Schick Test only 1 was found negative. It is considered, however,
that the numbers so far tested are too small to justify the abandonment
of the primary test in children over 5 years of age.
Of the 3 children who were positive after treatment, one became
negative after six months, and one who was still slightly positive after
six months has not returned for a further test. The remaining case
was very interesting, having received the "one shot" treatment
twenty-one months before attending the Clinic. Being Schick positive
he received two doses of T.A.F. only, but still being positive six months
after the second dose, a third injection was given. He was fairitH'
positive four months later, but negative after a further five months had
elapsed.
Of the children treated only 3 failed to return for the final Schick
test having: left the District, but one of these was tested in her new home.
The 95 children receiving treatment or tested during the year came from various parts of the District as indicated by the following Table:—
| Coulsdon East | 7 | |
| Coulsdon West | 16 | |
| Purley | 15 | |
| Kenley | 15 | |
| Sanderstead | 10 | |
| Selsdon | 31 | |
| Out of District | 1 | |
The doctors practising in the District have been asked to co-operate
by forwarding information of cases immunised privately, and in return
have been offered serum at reduced rates. No records have, however,
been received since the establishment of the Clinics, nor have applications
been made for serum, probably due in part to the fact that very little
immunisation has been done in this way.
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