View report page

23
Diphtheria.
There has been a further considerable drop in the
incidence of Diphtheria, the total number of cases being
67, compared with 117 for the preceding year. This is
the more remarkable when one remembers that for a portion
of the year many persons were spending their nights
in air-raid shelters. Evacuation, however, must claim a
part in the diminution as a number of the population at
risk were living in reception areas.
Schick Testing and Immunisation.
Towards the latter part of the year and more so
during 1941, a much larger number of children has been
presented for treatment at the Immunisation Clinic. The
requests now average over 100 per week. The reagent
used is Alum Precipitated Toxoid, and is supplied by the
Government through the Sector Pathologist.
Normally no preliminary Schick test is given, but
parents are encouraged to submit their children to a test
three months or more after the completion of treatment.
It has been found that the rate of protection is high and
the comparatively small numbers dealt with show an
immunity of over 99 per cent.
Undoubtedly the publicity given to this subject by
Sir Wilson Jameson, Principal Medical Officer of the
Ministry of Health, did a great deal towards persuading
parents to accept this treatment. I feel that my opinion
is shared by the majority of Medical Officers of Health
that the broadcasts given by Sir Wilson did more than
all the previous publicity put together.