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26
PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER,
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
General.
Schick and Dick tests and artificial methods of immunization
against diphtheria and scarlet fever have not
been used.
Patients suffering from measles and whooping cough
are not admitted to the isolation hospital.
Diphtheria.
Forty-two cases were notified (compared with 39 the
previous year), 7 of them being nasal. Twelve of the cases
occurred in a local Residential School. Six families had two
or more cases.
Hospital treatment was provided for 39 cases and there
were no "return" cases. There were no deaths from diphtheria
during the year. Two "carriers" were discovered and isolated
at home until certified free from infection. They were probably
the source of infection of four cases.
Supply of Antitoxin.
Anti-diphtheritic serum was used for the treatment of
7 cases, vials being supplied containing 56,000 units. The
early administration of antitoxin to all cases of diphtheria is, of
course, of vital importance. A supply of antitoxin is always
kept at the Public Health Department and at three chemists'
shops, and is available for the use of Medical Practitioners
upon request. In cases of emergency, antitoxin can be obtained
day or night, from the Council's Fire Station, Croydon Road,
Penge.