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5. In order to cope with 'the insufficiency of maternity
hospital beds the Middlesex County Council approached the
Councils of Acton and Wembley as to the possibilities of a rearrangement
for hospital beds for infectious diseases and on 25th
October Acton and Wembley Hospital was closed as an infectious
disease hospital for alterations and adaptation as a Maternity
Annexe to Central Middlesex 'County Hospital. The Council
entered into an arrangement with the Borough of Hendon according
to which hospitalisation for infectious diseases in Wembley
residents is now provided at Hendon Isolation Hospital.
6. DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION. In spite of the most
intensive and continual advice regarding the prevention of
diphtheria by immunisation, the percentage of the child population
under five considered immunised on the 31st December was no
more than 61.32. One cannot accept such a figure with complacency.
Diphtheria immunisation is discussed with the parents of
all children who are approaching ten months, either at the Clinic
or in the home, often at both opportunities, Iby the Health Visitors.
A birthday card is sent to each individual child at the first
birthday, full particulars of the local scheme being set out. The
Health Visitor checks at the first visit to each child after the first
birthday the position regarding diphtheria immunisation having
been accepted or arranged for. Any defaulters from the sessions
are referred to the Health Visitors who pay special visit to the
home and again stress the importance of immunisation. It is
true to remark that consents obtained only after great persuasion
are generally from those families who repeatedly fail to keep
their appointments. An explanatory leaflet is given to the
parents after the final dose of immunisation pointing out the need
for another injection just before the child enters school life, while
also the 'teachers take the -opportunity when interviewing parents
of entry children to mention the importance of this reinforcing
dose and an explanatory pamphlet has been provided. Routine
medical examination as school entrant provides further opportunity
of stressing the value of diphtheria immunisation— a full
course (2 injections) if the child has never been immunised, or a
reinforcing dose to carry the child through the next 5—6 years.
Posters are displayed and topical slogans shown on the blackboard
at all the Clinics continually. During the first six months
313 children received the additional reinforcing dose and 644
during the second six months. Much credit is due to both the
Health Visitors and 'the School Teachers in their endeavour to
obtain a fully protected child population.
7. Whooping cough is always a most trying illness and in
young children it is one of the most dangerous. For some time
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