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135
The doctors are assisted in the clinics by a school nurse and
a social worker; the latter provides information about the social
background of the patients, visits the homes, and maintains
contact with the Education Welfare Service.
During the year 182 new cases were dealt with and the total
attendances numbered 1,331.
Tuberculosis - epidemiological investigations
Two epidemiological investigations were carried out during
the year at educational establishments where it was thought
possible that staff or children had been exposed to tuberculous
infection.
A full-time student at a college of education died ten days
after admission to hospital with tubercular meningitis. Postmortem
examination showed evidence of active pulmonary
tuberculosis. A Mass X-ray Unit visited the college and X-rayed
all students and staff; letters were sent to all authorities
covering the areas in which past students who were possible
contacts were living or working. No further cases were discovered.
The student, a woman aged 37, was in the third year
of her studies. She had been medically examined at the start
and had been graded A1; her chest X-ray at that time showed
no apparent disorder. I am grateful for the co-operation received
from the South-West London Mass X-ray Service and the many
medical officers of health involved in this country and the Irish
Republic.
A 16-year-old schoolgirl was found to be suffering from
pulmonary tuberculosis. Investigations were carried out among
the 404 child contacts and the 50 members of the staff. All but
18 of the children and all but one of the staff were found to be
normal; the remaining nineteen did not attend for examination.
I wish to thank the South-West London Mass X-ray Unit and Dr.
Millard of the Balham Chest Clinic for their help.
B.C.G. vaccination of schoolchildren
The vaccination of children against tuberculosis is normally
carried out in the autumn and spring terms and is at present
offered to all eligible children aged 13 years. The decision has
been made to reduce this age to 11 years, and during 1973