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negative result has been obtained. These swabs are either
taken by the family doctor or by the staff of the Public
Health Department, according to the circumstances of the
case. Adult contacts living in the same house are also
advised to have swabs taken from the nose and throat and in
most cases they agree to this precaution being carried out.
Diphtheria Immunisation. Sessions of the Immunisation
Clinic were held every Saturday morning at the Health Centre.
A preliminary Schick test is carried out on all children
over seven years of age. Immunisation is effected by means of
three injections of T.A.F., with a week's interval between the
first and second injection, and a fortnight's interval between
the second and third.
In no case was any unpleasant reaction noted.
Eighteen children and four members of the Day Nursery
staff were Schick tested. Nine children and three of the staff
were found to be positive and then immunised. In all, one
hundred and twenty-one children, and three members of the
Day Nursery staff, were immunised. Three hundred and sixtyseven
attendances were made for this purpose. It is not possible
in very many cases to get the parents to attend with the
children for a posterior Schick test.
It is to be hoped that in the future much more use will
be made of this Immunisation Clinic. Advice regarding immunisation
is given at all the Welfare Centres, and leaflets are
also sent to the parents of all children to be medically examined
in the Infants Schools.
Smallpox.—There were no cases of smallpox in Wimbledon
in 1937.
Enteric Fever.—Five cases of enteric fever were notified.
In one case, however, the diagnosis was not sustained. The
remaining four eases all proved to be due to paratyphoid B
infection. Two were removed to the Infectious Diseases Hospital,
and one to a general hospital in London, whilst the
fourth case was nursed at home.
There was no connection between any of these four cases.
One patient lived outside the Borough. She was admitted to a
general hospital in Wimbledon, where the condition was first
diagnosed. In no circumstances could the infection be attributed
to water or to any article of food.
No death occurred from this disease amongst Wimbledon
residents in 1937.
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