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52
The scheme is brought to the notice of parents
chiefly by two methods, namely, consent forms are
posted so as to arrive on the child's first birthday and
schools are visited by the Medical Officer of Health and
the Head Teachers are asked to co-operate by explaining
the methods to parents anxious for their children to be
protected. In addition, the Medical Officer of Health
has on many occasions during the year addressed
meetings of Co-operative Guilds, Women's Labour
Sections and Mothers' Unions and during the course of
his remarks has brought to the notice of the audience
the facilities offered.
In 1935 the Council agreed that the extension of
the scheme to General Practitioners was desirable.
Accordingly a notice was drafted and a copy of this is
appended:—
"I am writing to solicit your interest and cooperation
in regard to the question of immunization
against Diphtheria. The Council of the Local
Authority have authorised me to offer this form of
protection to all those who are desirous of availing
themselves of the opportunity, but it is quite obvious
that any endeavour to launch a campaign of this
nature must depend, for its success, upon the
encouragement and support of the local General
Practitioners.
"Children to be treated may be separated into
two groups (a) those under 6 years of age; to be
immunized without preliminary testing; and (b)
those over 6 who should be subjected to a Schick Test.
All those coming within the latter group should be
referred to me for the purpose of the test, after which
the positive reactors will be sent to their Family
Doctor for the three injections.
"A free supply of Diphtheria Prophylactic can
be obtained from the Public Health Department for