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The experience of many authorities, both in this and other
countries, in which the method has been widely used, seems to
prove that a real protection is afforded against the disease. This
is also borne out by the experience of the Russell Schools
(Ballards) and the St. Olave's Schools of the Bermondsey
Guardians, where the method has been put into operation and
shown to be a decided protection. No ill effects have arisen in
any of the cases who submitted to the test and subsequent
immunisation.
Shirley Schools.
The School Medical Report for 1929 contained a full account
of the testing, immunisation and subsequent re-testing carried out
by the Croydon school medical staff. Under the terms of the Local
Government Act, 1929, the schools passed on April 1st, 1930,
under the control of the London County Council, and since then
Croydon has carried out no further Schick methods. In March,
1930, the last entrants to the schools were tested. In all, 45 were
tested, and of these, 17 were negative and 28 positive. The 28
positives were immunised with 3 doses of T.A.M., but during the
injecting period 2 children contracted a mild attack of Diphtheria,
after their second dose. No re-testing was done for the reason
above mentioned.
Russell Schools (Ballards).
Routine testing and immunisation against Diphtheria was
continued during the year in these schools. It is instructive to
note that no case of Diphtheria has occurred in this community of
boys during the past four years. All entrants are tested and
immunised. All boys after their immunity treatment are submitted
to a confirmatory test; 15 boys immunised in 1929 came
up for this test in 1930, 14 were negative, the remaining boy, who
was positive, was given a further series of three injections, and
on subsequent re-testing was found to be negative. Twenty-eight
new boys were tested for the first time; 22 being positive and 6
negative. The positives were immunised, 20 with three doses, one
with two doses. 15 are awaiting re-test in 1931; the remaining 7
were re-tested in 1930, and all found to be negative.
St. Monica's.
Diphtheria had been oo continual annoyance in this Home for
some months. Most of the girls attended St. Andrew's School