DIPHTHERIA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18362, 21 April 1925, Page 9

DIPHTHERIA.

THE IMMUNISATION SCHEME.

(irZCIAL TO "mi PRIS3.")

WELLINGTON, April 20.

In New Zealand, tie Health Department has made uso of the method of diphtheria immunisation for some thtee or four years past. The first occasion on which the method was used ' extensively was at Ravensbourno School, Dunedin. This school had Bh6wn a high incidence of diphtheria for soveral months, and it was decided that the best solution of the difficulty was to immunise all tho pupils at the tchool. This was done by the Department's school medical officers, and sinoo then tho disease has_ been practically absent from the school. In ! addition, the Department immunised the children at other institutional schools at Dunedin, also at schools at Hamilton and Murchison, which were at'the time regarded as being in endemic areas. The results in every case ' itave been most encouraging and W* l " /ylte that in this method medical (fence has a most valuable means of ajfobating diphtheria. . , . , , ;>*»Shc report of the bacteriologist who assisted 'in the tamuilisation at Hamilton, indicates that the results show that the method has heen very successful there. In further proof of the recognition of the value of the method, it may be mentioned that some of the largest life insurance companies in • America now advertise immunisation :and recommend the public to make us© .of it as a sure defence against the disease. In view of such overwhelming evidence, the Health Department is anxious to make the facilities for CadoDtino- it generally available, and it ij therefore desirable that parents i should realise that there is hand ; such a powerful weapon to combat this : gfiVo diseas© of childhood.