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of whom 3,779 received the combined protection against diphtheria and whooping
cough. In addition 5,662 were given diphtheria reinforcing injections, while 158 children
were immunised separately against whooping cough. Of the 4,390 children who were
primarily vaccinated against smallpox, 4,346 were under the age of five years.
Parents of children who, according to our records, have not been vaccinated when
the child is about four months old, are sent a leaflet stressing the importance of vaccination,
while a birthday card-immunisation reminder for all children for whom no
record of immunisation has been received, is posted to arrive on the first birthday.
As in previous years, the chronic sick, including the aged and infirm, made the
greatest call upon the service.
Home help
service
Increased use was made of the special services whereby 580 hours of early morning
and evening help were given to 28 families which included 75 children. Night help
was sent in to nine cases to relieve relatives of chronic sick persons, for a total of 153
hours (20 nights).
The home help service was responsible for preventing 75 children from being taken
into care.
B.C.G. vaccmation of 13-year-old school children in this division was inaugurated
during the spring and summer terms of this year. The number of eligible children was
3,691 and parental consents were received for 2,855 (77.4 per cent.). Of the 2,743 who
were skin-tested, 2,295 children were given an injection of B.C.G. vaccine. A positive
reaction to the Mantoux test was shown in 414 children, and 298 of these were examined
by chest X-ray. Only four were found to have abnormal chest conditions.
B.C.G.
vaccination
against
tuberculosis
mere was a steady demand from hospitals, general practitioners and others for
various articles of home nursing equipment, most of which were supplied within a
few davs of reauest.
Home
nursing
equipment
The total number of recommendations sanctioned for inclusion in the Council's
scheme was 1,175 compared with 1,269 during 1954.
Recuperative
holidays
As a general rule medical treatment is arranged at the school treatment centres with
little delay. There is, however, a waiting list at University College Hospital for the
enuresis cases and at Western Ophthalmic Hospital for vision cases. (At both these
hospitals special clinics are held for L.C.C. children.)
School
medical
treatment
A new orthoptic clinic has been started at Somers Town school treatment centre
where the orthoptist attends for two sessions a week. This clinic is fulfilling a great need.
The position with regard to dental treatment in the division is satisfactory, and most
children are dentally inspected once a year.
Dental
treatment
The dental clinic at Barnes House welfare centre has been re-opened, and ten sessions
a week are held for school children and maternity and child welfare cases.
Nine evening dental sessions are held in the division, and are well attended by older
children who prefer not to miss school. It is proposed to arrange evening sessions for
expectant and nursing mothers if there is a demand.
Continued attention is being given to problem families. By the end of the year,
the index register contained information of 308 families who were receiving careful
supervision and help. Co-ordinating committees are held throughout the Division, as
necessary, to which all welfare workers and representative organisations concerned are
invited, to consider the particular family or families involved.
Problem
families
Of the total number mentioned above, 246 are classed as potential problem families,
i.e., where it is felt that given practical advice, help (and in many cases better housing
conditions) there is every possibility that in time they will be rehabilitated.
Health education continues to develop on similar lines to those set out in my report
for 1954.
Health
education
It is gratifying that the number of schools in the division requesting health and
mothercraft talks to school leavers is increasing each year. In 1955, 14 head teachers
asked for a health visitor/school nurse to give this service.
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