View report page

102
trated effort and that of Dr. Fleck and his colleagues in the Public
Health Laboratory at Tooting. Thanks to the full support of the
parents the existing satisfactory level of immunity was boosted still
further. Not a single clinical case of diphtheria developed.
A little later in the year a small persistent outbreak of infective
jaundice occurred at a junior and infants school ultimately affecting
24 children from 16 different families. In view of the persistence
of the episode—despite the natural break afforded by the
Easter holiday period—passive immunization with gamma globulin
was considered desirable to interrupt the chain of transmission.
A letter was accordingly sent to the parents of all children, and to
members of the staff, so far unaffected ; during the following week
no fewer than 88% of the pupils at risk were given an injection of
gamma globulin. In all, 278 children and seven adults were immunized.
No further cases occurred. Once again a high degree of
parental co-operation was enjoyed and the outcome was very
satisfying.
In relation to both this small epidemic of infective jaundice and
two outbreaks of Sonne dysentery at other schools, the opportunity
was taken to stress the value as a preventive measure of regular
washing of the hands after going to the toilet and before meals.
Elementary hygiene remains an important barrier to the spread of
infection.
Dental hygiene is, of course, basic to a healthy dentition and in
this context I do wish to echo the tribute paid last year by Dr.
Tudor Lewis to the high standard maintained by the school dental
service under the vigorous and able leadership of Mr. Weedon, the
Principal Dental Officer. Two dental officers and two clerk/dental
surgery assistants were added to the establishment during the year
and" the appointment of Senior Dental Officer was very adequately
filled by Mrs. Mansell-Jones. The goal of an annual routine dental
inspection for every school pupil came perceptibly nearer in the
wake of an excellent collective effort in 1970. Dental health is
much to be prized and Wandsworth is fortunate to possess such
an outstanding service available to all its schools.
In conclusion I welcome the opportunity to thank all members
of the staff of the school health service for their diligence throughout
the year, and to express to Mr. Kingdom, the Divisional Education
Officer, and the Heads of schools in Wandsworth my warm
appreciation of their help and support which I deeply value. The
Medical Adviser to the Inner London Education Authority, Dr.
Stewart, and his colleagues have given me constant encouragement
and invaluable advice for which I am especially grateful.