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56
they applied in Spring, 1955, and they belong to the 1955 age group
They are now due for re-testing.
RESEARCH WORK.
Anti-tuberculosis Vaccine (B.C.G.).
In collaboration with the Medical Research Council, since October,
1950, there has been undertaken in Leyton Schools a Trial of Antituberculous
Vaccine (B.C.G.).
The trial involves at the outset children leaving Secondary Modern
Schools at the age of 15 years and then a follow-up by regular medical
examination over a period of three years. All participants in the trial are
volunteers.
The scheme is being operated by a Medical Research Council team
especially assigned to this work, and comprises the following examinations:—
(a) Penultimate School Term: Initial tuberculin-testing and X-raying
of volunteers; inoculation with B.C.G. of those tuberculin-negatives
selected for vaccination ;
(b) Final School Term (12-16 weeks later) : Second tuberculin test
and second X-ray of all children tuberculin-negative at first test (whether
vaccinated or not) ;
(c) All groups will be X-rayed and tuberculin-tested at regular
intervals for at least three years. In addition, they will receive regular
visits from a health visitor.
The following letter was received from Sir Harold Himsworth,
K.C.B., Secretary of the Medical Research Council, early in 1956:—
"The Council have recently had before them the first report of
their Tuberculosis Vaccines Clinical Trials Committee on the value of
vaccination in adolescence. As you are aware, this report has now been
published in the British Medical Journal.
"I am now writing on behalf of the Council to thank you for your
invaluable support in this assessment of the vaccines. I realise also how
much the success of a project like this must owe to your nurses and my
Council would like them to know that their help has been appreciated.
"After seeing the report of the preliminary investigation the Council
are in no doubt that the results which could be obtained by continuing
the trial for a further period would more than justify the effort and
expense required. I hope that w: may count upon your continued cooperation
in this effort which premises to make such a substantial contribution
to preventive medicine."
An assurance has been given that the nursing staff will continue to
assist in the home visiting of volunteers in the trial.
HANDICAPPED PUPILS.
Set out below, in tabular form, are observations regarding Handicapped
Pupils in the Division.
Delicate.
In 1955, 16 boys and 17 girls were ascertained as delicate pupils and
all were recommended for residential school; only two boys were awaiting
vacancies at the end of the year.