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should not he given. About 40 per cent of persons aged 15 years will give a reaction
(positive test). If there is no reaction the child is "tuberculin-negative" and may
appropriately receive B.C.G. In the trials, of those found tuberculin-negative half
received B.C.G. vaccine, the other half did not. The two groups amongst the tuberculinnegatives
were chosen by a method of random selection.
The routine re-examinations and follow-up for several years Involve all three groups,
namely, those tuberculin-positive at the outset, those Inoculated with B.C.G., and those
tuberculin-negative who were not vaccinated. The scheme is operated by a Medical Research
Council Team especially assigned to the work. All groups are X-rayed and tuberculin-tested
at regular intervals for at least three years. Parents who were willing to enter their
children In ;he scheme signed a consent form.
The children are regularly visited by a health visitor or Bchool nurse to obtain followup
Information regarding their health both at the time of the visit and during the previous
interval. They also can give much help in securing the attendance for re-examination of
those who default.
The head teachers of the schools have co-operated splendidly in making the scheme a
success. During 195O and 1951 there were 1,224- volunteers from West Ham. This can be
considered a really good response. The work in connection with the scheme continued during
1952 and 1953. The results of these trials will not be known for another year or two and
it Is not yet certain exactly how much benefit in the way of protection of tuberculosis can
be expected from B.C.G. vaccination of school children. The available evidence suggests
that it would probably afford a useful degree of protection to supplement all the other
measures employed In the control of tuberculosis. The Medical Research Council has extended
their thanks to all who helped and co-operated in the scheme.
SCABIES. The incidence of scabies remains very small. Three cases were discovered
among school children this year as compared with 35 during 1952. These give rates of 0.01 and
0.12 per cient of the school population. The present rate is by far the lowest ever recorded.
Previous annual reports have shown the steady decline of this Infestation from the wartime
peak of 2,750 cases in 1942: it is Interesting to compare the present Incidence with
that of the six years between the wars when the rates were also low.

REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
The Senior Dental Officer was not able to submit a report on the service as he was
unfortunately 111 for much of the year, and he has since died. His loss came as a great
shock to all his colleagues, who would not wish this opportunity to go by without an
expression of their deep sorrow at his passing.
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