View report page

64
on this work. There is no finer form of propaganda for Diphtheria
Immunisation than an epidemic of the disease, and our work has
not had the benefit of the stimulating effect of any epidemic of the
disease. In view of this our figures for both application for treatment
and actual attendances are generally highly satisfactory. It
must be admitted that the response from the Isleworth area is
vastly inferior to that obtained from Hounslow and Heston. There
will be many vain regrets for wasted opportunities in Isleworth
when the next epidemic of Diphtheria comes to that district, for
come it must, in due course.
The sessions at present held have obtained throughout 1931.
They are as follows:—
At Bath Road. Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 2—4 p.m.
At Isleworth Public Hall. Saturday mornings, 10 a.m.—12 noon.
As regards the routine, the same careful and thorough treatment
of each case is maintained as in the past. All children are
Schick-tested initially, receive immunising injections if they are
susceptible, and are re-tested subsequently to demonstrate satisfactory
immunity before a certificate is given. Any person not rendered
immune as a result of the ordinary course of injections
receives further doses until it is shown that the object in view has
been achieved. All cases found to be apparently naturally immune
at the first Schick Test are advised to come for a further test in 3
months to confirm the previous finding before the certificate of
immunity is issued.
It is proposed during the year 1932 to continue this work with
a degree of thoroughness not obtaining anywhere else to our knowledge.
The suggestion is to re-test all children 2 years after they
have been rendered immune, with the idea of ensuring that the
protection still holds good. When it is realised that in the past two
years there has been no single case of clinical Diphtheria among
any of our children who has received a certificate of immunity, it
must be admitted that we are defending a valuable position. These
results are so wonderfully satisfactory that the district of Heston