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9
In connection with the control of infectious disease,
there is definite evidence of a spread throughout the country
of the movement for securing the artificial immunisation of
children against diphtheria. As I explained in the Annual
Report for last year, it is now possible to ascertain by means
of a simple test (known as the Schick test) whether a child
is susceptible to this disease or not, and those who are
susceptible can have conferred upon them a productive
immunity by inoculation of a mixture of diphtheria toxin
and anti-toxin. The procedure is very simple and causes no
particular discomfort to the individual, while the results have
been most encouraging and seem to justify its use by local
authorities in general. The general adoption of the scheme
of immunisation against diphtheria would mean the avoidance
of suffering and discomfort to the child, the sparing of
anxiety and worry to the parents, and the cost of maintenance
of diphtheria beds to the community.
In sanitary matters the department has maintained the
standard of recent years. It has continued to work on similar
lines as in previous years, but more attention is being paid
to the supervision of food supplies and to individual hygiene
rather than to environmental hygiene. Houses are being
erected in increasing numbers each year, the number erected
in 1926 being 203 by private enterprise and 170 by the
Council—figures in excess of any previous post-war year, but
still behind the average number erected yearly before 1914.
The new houses are barely sufficient to accommodate the
increase in the population, and they do not yet permit any
action being taken with one or two small groups of houses
which ought to be closed as soon as the general housing
conditions will permit.
Maternity and Child Welfare work develops satisfactorily.
During the year one important change took place.
The Plumstead Centre at 289, Plumstead High Street, was
transferred in October to new premises built by the Council,
and these premises will be used in 1927, not only for
maternity and child welfare purposes, but also for dental
treatment in connection with the London County Council
scheme for the treatment of school children. This marks an