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THE PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER,
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Diphtheria.
During the past 4 years the incidence of diphtheria has
remained exceptionally low.
In 1936 there were 28 cases as compared with 29 in 1935
and 30 in 1934. A number of the cases were of a very severe
character and, although there was only one death, several
patients were extremely ill for many weeks.
All the cases were removed to hospital.
The supply of anti-toxin which is kept at the Public
Health Department for the use of General Practitioners is
seldom used.
Immunisation against Diphtheria.
Immunisation has gone on steadily throughout the year
and 1,036 children received the full course of 3 injections
of T.A.F. The work has been done very largely in the junior
elementary schools. At first children up to 8 years were
dealt with, and then the age was extended to 11 years,
and when all the schools have been completed it is anticipated
that between 70% and 80% of the children up to 11 years,
will have been immunised. The Schick test was applied to
911 children who had previously been immunised, mostly in
1935 and of the 903 who were subsequently examined 887
were negative and 16 positive. This means that 98.2% had
been successfully immunised.
No child who had received the full immunising course
developed diphtheria, but one child who had received only
one injection developed a very mild attack of the disease.
Valuable assistance has been rendered by the Head
Teachers, and in many cases it has been due to their influence
that parents have consented to have their children protected.
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