View report page

65
Procedure.
As soon as the Council decided to institute facilities for diphtheria
immunisation, posters outlining the facilities were displayed
in the Council's clinic premises and on certain public notice boards
in the area.
Thereafter, the following pamphlet, prepared by the Medical
Officer of Health, was circulated to mothers at the Infant Welfare
Centres.
"Protection Against Diphtheria.
"Diphtheria is a dangerous infectious disease which causes
great loss of life, especially among young children. Most
children are liable to take diphtheria when exposed to infection ;
and the younger the child, the more likely is the disease to be
severe or fatal.
"There is, however, a safe and reliable means of preventing
diphtheria. Any susceptible child can be protected by a
course of three small inoculations administered at intervals
of a fortnight. No sore is caused ; no scar is left; and the
injections are an almost certain protection against recognisable
clinical diphtheria.
"The risk of a protected child developing diphtheria is
very small ; and even if the child did become infected, the
infection would almost certainly be mild.
"During the past fifteen years many thousands of children
in this country have been protected successfully against diphtheria,
and no harmful result has ever been recorded.
"The protection is not complete until a few months after
inoculation; so it is not advisable to postpone this means of
prevention until diphtheria occurs in your neighbourhood. It
may then be too late.
"The Leyton Borough Council, with the sanction of the
Ministry of Health, has established a clinic where children
over one year of age can be protected free of charge.
"Do not wait until an epidemic reaches your neighbourhood.
Start at once and make your children safe.
"If you wish your child or children to be protected, please
complete the attached form and return it to me. You will then
be informed when and where your child should attend for
treatment."