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Among these are included cases where the initial swab was doubtful.
They were given the benefit of the doubt and returned as positive.
Repeat swabs in hospital invariably fail to confirm the first report.
The third group of carrier are those who, whether presenting
symptoms of illness or not, are found to have a positive swab, but in
which the organism on investigation by animal inoculation is shown
to have no virulence.
By -arrangement with the Medical Superintendent of the Isolation
Hospital, all persons with positive swabs are carefully investigated
and the significance of the swab report assessed as accurately as all the
information available allows. Classified in this manner, 10 persons
during the year were designated as " carriers." Of these 4 were not
ill and included 2 nasal infections; 5 were suffering from tonsillitis,
and one, whilst suffering from tonsillitis, carried a non-virulent
diphtheria organism. In all except the one with the non-virulent
culture the swabs taken in hospital failed to confirm the original
positive report before admission.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
Owing to the pressure of other work, chiefly that of Civil Defence,
the usual annual programme of immunisation sessions held in the
schools had to be omitted in 1939. Facilities at the special public
Immunisation Clinics and the supply of materials to private practitioners
were maintained.
A total of 157 children had their immunisation treatment completed
during the year. They were treated under the following arrangements: