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The occasional case which is still apt to occur can be provided with
home treatment if referred to the Medical Officer of Health.
(b) Vermin.
The number of cases of infestation remained small and was limited
to the 30 children found to have head nits in school. The majority of
these were only casual infestations which immediately responded to the
treatment mainly provided by the parents.
THE CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
The place of immunisation among the measures for the control of
infectious disease remained much as in recent years, but the change since
1948 to reliance on voluntary co-operation in respect of infant vaccination,
as opposed to the previous compulsory requirements, has not proved
very promising. This change of policy cannot, however, be judged on
the numerical results to date, as justifiable doubt has been expressed as
to the wisdom of encouraging infant vaccination against smallpox, bearing
in mind the reduced risks of the present day. The minimum risk of
complications following primary vaccination appears to be at 2 years of
age, and the maximum during school life. With the careful surveillance
of all known smallpox contacts entering this country, coupled with the
vaccination of all possible contacts, there appears to be but little risk to
the vast majority of children in this country resulting from non-vaccination
in infancy unless school children are travelling abroad for educational or
other reasons. Apart from this limited group, for whom special precautions
and consideration are required, primary vaccination of both sexes
at the age at which normally registration for military service is required
appears to be of more importance and associated with less risk than
infant vaccination.
Further reconsideration and clarification of our national policy in
regard to vaccination in the light of present-day information and circumstances
appears to be required.
With regard to the necessity of immunisation against diphtheria,
there is no doubt that the parents of all children should be encouraged to
ensure that they are kept as highly immune as possible by early immunisation
and periodical enhancing doses.
The comparatively small risk of this treatment influencing the onset
of poliomyelitis is now well-recognised and precautionary measures can
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