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visited within 24 hours of each inoculation in order to obtain information
regarding reactions. It will also be necessary for a medical
officer to visit the homes of children where whooping cough occurs
or is suspected. Additional home visiting will be required over a
long period in the case of children who may develop whooping
cough.
This following-up must be carefully organised and carried
out, as it is the most important part of the investigation from which
the final analysis of results will be made.
In addition to the routine visiting outlined above, quite a
considerable amount of home visiting will be required in the
rounding-up of defaulters who fail to attend.
In order that there may be rehable correlation between clinical
and laboratory findings it will be necessary to take series of swabs
and samples of blood for special bacteriological examination in
selected cases.
Personnel.
It will be appreciated that a large-scale investigation of this
kind involves a great amount of careful clinical, laboratory and
clerical work by a team of workers able to conduct careful investigations
and keep accurate records.
The Medical Research Council will defray the cost of the local
staff specially employed on the investigation, and have indicated
that they will authorise the employment of a health visitor and
a clerk in the first place. The question of extra medical assistance
may be considered at a later date.
As they are such important members of the team, and will
be required to undertake so much of the preliminary work, I recommend
that authority be given forthwith for the appointment of
one state-registered nurse and one female clerk.
Summary of Recommendations.
If your Authority wish to accept the invitation of the Medical
Research Council to collaborate in the investigation, I recommend :
(a) that application be made to the Minister of Health
for approval (N.H.S. Act, 1946—Section 26(2) ) ;
(b) that the Medical Research Council be informed formally
that you are prepared to co-operate in the scheme;
(c) that sanction be given for the engagement of the
necessary staff as outlined above;