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authorities' aim, whenever possible, to ensure that after-care is
such as to improve the functional state and so maintain morale
which is so essential in such cases.
An analysis of persons registered as handicapped with local
authorities reveals that the arthritic and rheumatism group comprises some 30.5% of the total and if only those over 65 are
considered, then this figure rises to 44.4%. However, at the
present time, registered handicapped persons represent only
8% of a possible total of 3 millions of whom some 2.4 millions
would be over the age of 60, the greater proportion of whom
would be of the rheumatic and arthritic type probably resenting
registration.
Rheumatic induced immobility in the elderly often results in
a regimen of "tea and bread-and-butter". It falls to the vigilance
of the geriatric visitor, in her preventive role, to assess the situation and, accordingly, to arrange for supportive services (including the use of nursing and medical aids) to avoid the development
of avitaminosis and anaemia arising from such a deficient diet.
It is pertinent to record that out of a total of 1,530 persons
registered as physically handicapped in Greenwich in 1970, 468
or 30% are disabled due to the effects of rheumatism.
Venereal Diseases
Morality and transmitted serious infections are combined to
render venereal disease unique in the field of preventive medicine.
Apart from the considerable morbidity occasioned by these infections, much misery results from the associated heightened
sense of guilt and shame notwithstanding that, in modern communities, this "guilt" complex is rapidly waning. That sexually
imparted disease can indeed have catastrophic effects on happiness and family life has been formally recognised in the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1950 which gives undisclosed communicable
venereal disease at time of marriage as justifiable grounds for
causing such a union to be invalidated.
Legally, the Act of 1917 defines venereal disease as syphilis,
gonorrhoea and chanchroid but there are a number of other
infections transmitted sexually such as: —
Viral: Herpes genitalis; moluscum contagiosum; condylomata
and lymphogranuloma venereum.
Protozoal: Trichomonas vaginalis infections.
Parasitic: Pediculosis pubis and scabies.
Fungoid: Candida albicans (monilia or thrush).
Unknown aetiology: Non-specific urethritis.
There can be little doubt but that sexually transmitted diseases