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In both the foregoing tables the ages given are those of the children when they presented
themselves originally for treatment. The actual ages at the time of re-test were of course
from three to four years greater than those shown in the tables.
It is now interesting to compare the variation in the Schick-negative state in the two groups,
the artificially and the naturally immune.
Immunised by three injections of 1 c.cm. of T.A.M. 6.9% reversion
Naturally immune subjects 5.0% reversion
Difference 1.9%
The fact that the immunised subjects show only 1.9% more tendency to reversion than the
naturally immune subjects is both interesting and gratifying. This is additionally pleasing because
there has been little obvious epidemic diphtheria in the district to stimulate immunity in the
artificially immunised subjects, and it has been generally thought in the past that the natural
Schick-negative state was a much more permanent phenomenon in the absence of fresh stimuli
than was the artificially produced negative state. It is realised abundantly that with these small
numbers, the statistical " probable error " is higher than it would be in dealing with larger numbers.
In view of the advantage gained by Method 2 employing 1.0 c.cm., 1.0 c.cm. and 1.5 c.cm. as the
dosage, it is proposed to try the effect of increasing the second dose to 1.5 c.cm. as well as the
third. The results of this work will be published in due course, and it is hoped further to reduce
the figure of 5% not completely immunised by the routine of method 2.
The various figures given in the tables are appended here in graphic form, as it is felt that
their real significance may be more readily appreciated thus.
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