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136
Mantoux test (1 in 100)—except new born babies. All except
six of the 133 have been tested and found to be Mantoux
converted since vaccination. Of the six untested cases, three
refused further testing, one ignored several appointments, and
two have removed from the district. No child has been found
not to be Mantoux converted after vaccination.
"No serious complications have occurred among the
vaccinated. An enlarged gland in the axilla was found in
20 cases, varying in size from just large enough to be felt to
the size of a bean. In no case was there softening of the gland
or discharge from it; but in two cases there was a rather deep
ulcer which filled up and healed. In the other cases the
reaction was trivial.
"Mantoux tests a year or more after vaccination have been
done on 17 of the cases vaccinated in 1952, to see whether
sensitivity had been maintained. We have not been successful
in persuading all mothers to bring their children for re-testing
a year after vaccination. It is perhaps natural that they feel
further testing should not be necessary, and in fact the Mantoux
test was definitely and often markedly positive in all cases
tested a year or more after vaccination.
"It is not proposed to repeat the test if the reaction is
still positive at the end of the year ; but parents are advised to
have their children re-tested about the age of 11 years and
re-vaccinated then if necessary.
"B.C.G. vaccination is only one of several factors in the
prevention of tuberculosis, and no spectacular results are to be
expected—at least in the near future. It is nevertheless one
of the most important specific measures in the prevention of
disease, and should have a prominent place in public health
propaganda.
"It is worth noting that, of the 53 children who were not
vaccinated because they had already absorbed the infection,
14 were under the age of five years and therefore at an age
when infection was dangerous.
"Except for cases we may come across in our own
district, we at Dawlish Road Clinic are dependent for the
direction of cases to us primarily on the staff of the Chest Clinic
who have first hand information about the location of sources