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102
Three accounts in the text of epidemiological investigation in
relation to tuberculosis infection at school illustrate vividly the
invaluable assistance rendered in this field by the staff of the local
Chest Clinics and of the South-West London Mass X-Ray Service.
I welcome the opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Dr.
McQueen (who retired during the course of the year), Dr. Citron,
Dr. Millard, Dr. Nash and their colleagues.
Gradually the age at which routine Mantoux or Heaf testing and,
where necessary B.C.G. vaccination are undertaken is being
lowered from 13 to 11 years. Similarly the rubella immunisation
programme has been extended to the whole of this age-group with
the intention in future of vaccinating girls when they reach the age
of 11. The help of the schools in enabling these programmes to be
developed successfully is greatly appreciated. Both campaigns
flourished in 1971.
A much less welcome increase in activity related to the detection
and treatment of head infestation. Clearly a far more intensive
effort is needed in relation to the family as a whole if this problem
is to be tackled realistically. Merely to treat the infested school
pupil is to invite reinfestation. Fortunately, in view of the increasing
evidence of resistance of head lice to D.D.T. preparations, a
new malathion insecticide which is very effective against pediculosis
capitis has now been marketed ; active consideration was
therefore being given at the end of the year to a comprehensive
assault upon this tiresome public health problem in which, as a
preventive measure, a determined effort will be made to treat
every member of the family of an infested child.
Once again it is a pleasure to record the continuing development
of the comprehensive service provided by the school dental
staff under the lively and capable leadership of Mr. Weedon, the
Principal School Dental Officer. Specially noteworthy was the
marked expansion in health educational and orthodontic activities.
The cause of dental health is indeed well served in relation to
Wandsworth schoolchildren.
Unification of the child health service to provide continuity of
supervision from birth to school-leaving age has long been advocated.
This was the prime objective of the local reorganisation
which followed the retirement of Dr. Garland who had given more
than two decades of exemplary service in Battersea and Wandsworth.
To achieve the goal of continuity in the field of child health
the Borough was divided into western and eastern halves for
medical administrative purposes under the day-to-day supervision
of Dr. Frenkiel and Dr. Graham respectively. In addition to their
administrative responsibilities — which include the maintenance
jointly of a handicap and observation register catering for children
of all ages—these two Principal Medical Officers (Child Health) act
as clinical consultants to their colleagues and foster close links
with general practitioners and consultant paediatricians. A similar