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7. Of the cases referred in 1955 and who were still receiving treatment
in 1956, a further 24 were discharged dry.
Further analysis and comparison of cases
No. of boys dry 20 out of 48 boys referred.
No. of girls dry 13 out of 23 girls referred.
Average age of boys 6.7 years.
Average age of girls 7.5 years.
Average number of visits until discharged dry 4 visits.
5. Conclusions.—This year interest in the clinic has increased,
although it is discouraging that it is still used by so few general practitioners.
It is felt that more time can be given in a clinic of this type to a problem
of this nature than can possibly be devoted by a general practitioner in
the midst of a busy surgery.
As in previous years the same five factors have been common in
those cases which have been slow to improve, namely:—
(1) Frustration
(2) Overcrowding.
(3) Mismanagement.
(4) Physical defect.
(5) Mental retardation.
More and more time at the clinic is being devoted to the child, and
where the child's genuine interest and often surprise has been obtained,
dry nights have almost always followed more quickly.
In younger and more impressionable children, that is, those between
5 and 8 years of age, better results occurred when they were seen at
4-weekly intervals, rather than less frequently, thus maintaining their
interest.
Concerning the children under 5 years of age, strict adherence to a
routine for the child by the parents has shown more success than attempts
to get the child itself to 'come to grips' with the problem."
B.C.G. Vaccination of School Children.
No. of pupils to whom B.C.G. was offered 1,815
No. of pupils whose parents consented to treatment 782
No. of pupils undergoing tuberculin test 747
Positive: 85.
No. of pupils who received B.C.G. 635
No. of pupils post-tested 633
Converted to Positive 627
Negative 5
Absentees from readings 1