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235
and a considerable loss of school attendance had resulted.
Members of the staff of the Home were also attacked. Arising
out of the usual investigations several diphtheria carriers were
found. It was put to the Church Army Authorities that immunisation
would be a useful course of action, and they decided to have
the children tested and, if necessary, immunised. Thirty-eight
were tested, of whom 21 were negative (some of these had already
had an attack of Diphtheria) and 17 were positive. There was one
pseudo-positive and one pseudo-negative. Of the positives, 13
were given three doses, 2 were given two doses, and 2 were given
one dose. (These latter have now left the school). These children
will be ready for re-testing in 1931. No more cases of Diphtheria
have occurred as yet.
Gordon Boys' Home.
An invasion of Diphtheria occurred in this institution during
the year. At the request of the authorities the boys were all submitted
to the Schick test, and those found susceptible given
immunising injections. In all, 29 boys were tested, 14 were
positive and 15 negative; of these, 3 showed pseudo-negative and
3 pseudo-positive reactions. One boy, found to be positive, was
also found to be suffering from Diphtheria and was removed to
the Borough Hospital. Eight boys were given 3 doses (of these,
3 have now left); 1 was given two doses and 4 were given one
dose. Ten boys came up for re-testing during the year and all
were negative. Diphtheria now has ceased in this institution.
Four requests for Schick treatment were received from private
individuals during the year. Three children were found positive
and given three doses of T.A.M.; one found to be only mildly
positive was given one dose only. These children will be re-tested
in 1931.
One child was submitted to the Dick test for susceptibility to
Scarlet Fever. She gave a history of having had Scarlet Fever
twice, and was found to be negative to the test.