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"The annual incidence of tuberculosis in the tuberculin-negative unvaccinated
group was 1.94 per 1,000; in the B.C.G. vaccinated group it was only 0.37 Per 1,000
and in the vole bacillis-vaccinated group only 0.44 per 1,000 Each vaccine
therefore conferred a substantial and similar degree of protection against tuberculosis
over a period of two and a half years of adolescence. The protection conferred by each
vaccine was evident soon after it had been given, and was still substantial between two
and two and a half years after entry. Supplementary incomplete information up to four
years suggests that the protection is maintained for this period If no participant
in the present trial had been vaccinated a total of 246 cases of tuberculosis would have
been expected within two and a half years of entry; if all the tuberculin-negative
entrants had received B.C.G. vaccine a total of 111 would have been expected. This
represents an expected reduction of 55 per cent in the total incidence of tuberculosis for
the two and half years"
The results are most encouraging, and the investigation has provided evidence of
the efficacy of B.C.G. in preventing tuberculosis in adolescents. The object of the
vaccination of the non-reactors to the tuberculin skin test is to produce in them a
controlled primary focus of attenuated Infection, with consequent development of acquired
resistance, instead of allowing them to risk the dangers which are inseparable from natural
uncontrolled exposure to infection by virulent tubercle bacilli In large numbers. The
evidence suggests that B.C.G. vaccination affords a useful degree of protection to supplement
all the other measures employed in the prevention and control of tuberculosis. The Medical
Research Council has extended its thanks to all who helped and co-operated in the scheme.
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
INCORPORATING THE WORK OF THE MATERNITY AND
CHILD WELFARE DENTAL SERVICE
by
S.Maxwell Young, L.D.S., R.C.S.
During 1956, there was a gratifying increase in the stability of the dental staffing
position, as the engagement of Mr.S.G.Osborne as a full-time officer, brought the number up
to four full-time officers and as the part-time officers were of a less evanescent type than
previously it was possible to do some long-term planning.
All the dental clinics (except Maybury Road) have been functioning well, mostly on a
full-time basis and this has made the routine inspections of primary schools more feasible
than hitherto. For instance, the schools attached to Forest Street Clinic are now being
inspected for the second time in two years which, although not anything like ideal, is much
better than it has been in the past.
As outlined in the last report, the policy of the School Dental Service in the current
staff shortage has been to offer routine inspection and comprehensive treatment to primary
schools only and relief of pain and treatment on request to the others. With the slight
improvement in the staffing position, it was felt that something more than this could now be
done. Hence, in June, a pilot scheme was introduced, whereby the upper three years of
Stratford Grammar School were asked for "volunteers" for dental treatment at the clinic in
West Ham Lane; this treatment was to be given in the early evening, so that no school time
would be lost. A large number of pupils reported and the results were very gratifying.
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