London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Heston and Isleworth 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]
This page requires JavaScript
The following table shows the extent of susceptability to diphtheria among the children submitted to a primary Schick Test during the year :—
| Age. | No. of children submitted to primary Schick Test. | No. of positive Schick Tests readings. | Percentage of children showing positive Schick Test. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 year | 6 | 6 | 100.0 |
| 1-2 years | 91 | 91 | 100.0 |
| 2-3 years | 75 | 75 | 100.0 |
| 3-4 years | 80 | 79 | 98.7 |
| 4-5 years | 111 | 109 | 98.2 |
| 5-6 years | 148 | 143 | 96.6 |
| 6-7 years | 113 | 107 | 94.7 |
| 7-8 years | 93 | 89 | 95.7 |
| 8-9 years | 115 | 107 | 93.0 |
| 9-10 years | 98 | 81 | 82.6 |
| 10-11 years | 94 | 80 | 85.1 |
| 11-12 years | 77 | 64 | 83.1 |
| 12-13 years | 24 | 15 | 62.5 |
| 13-14 years | 24 | 17 | 70.8 |
| 14-15 years | 11 | 6 | 54.5 |
This high degree of susceptability to diphtheria in the infant and school population shows
the need for immunisation. The Council has provided the facilities for this protection but the
responsibility lies with parents and without the continued co-operation of parents the scheme
cannot succeed.
Dr. Bousfield submits the following report on the work of the diphtheria immunisation
clinic for the year 1938:—
"Public support for the diphtheria immunisation scheme continued to be very good during
the year. The total number of attendances was 6247. Of these, 4321 attended the two clinics
held at Hounslow and 1926 used the one weekly clinic at Isleworth.
The number of new cases tested during the year was 1228.
As regards the natural Schick-negative rate obtaining in the district at the present time,
the following figures are available :—
Total cases which presented themselves for primary Schick readings 1196
Number giving Schick-positive readings 1097
Natural Schick-negative cases 99
The natural Schick-negative rate is therefore 8.27%
Certificates of immunity, either natural or artificially produced, were issued to 908 children.
Of these, 84 were naturally immune and the remaining 824 were artificially immunised. It
should be pointed out that no certificate of natural immunity is issued to a child on the evidence
of a single Schick Test. The result is always confirmed at an interval of from 3 to 5 months
by means of another test before the certificate is given. Experience has shown that there is a
greater variability in the state of natural immunity than is supposed by many, and the importance
of repeating the primary Schick Test in negative cases is very evident.
During the years in which immunisation has been practised in this Borough, various
antigens have been employed, the search for the best and most practical methods being constantly
pursued. In the past we have determined the effect of T.A.M. by different modes of administration
as regards dosage. This was followed by the investigation of various types of alumprecipitated
toxoid as a single injection and as two injections with an interval of 14 days between
the injections. In addition, the permanency of the artificial immunity produced by the various
methods has been continually under review. Cases immunised from 2 to 8 years ago are being
constantly tested to verify the validity of the certificates issued to them at the time of the ' postimmunisation
' Schick Test.
The results of the work on T.A.M. have been fully reported in the past and need not be
repeated here, but a summary of the work done with Alum-precipitated toxoid (Eli Lilly & Co.)
during the period from 1937 to the end of February, 1939 will be of interest.
Antigen. Eli Lilly & Co. Alum-precipitated toxoid.
Method. A single injection of 0.5 c.c.
45