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Voluntary Services share in the distribution of national welfare foods. The Downham
Health centre voluntary committee lost the services of the Rev. Canon Youngman,
who had served for many years on the Committee, latterly as its Chairman, on his
removal from the area.
Poliomyelitis
The large scheme of inoculations in May and June was carried out smoothly and
with no clinical complications.
It was possible from the records held in the division to carry out an investigation
to test the accuracy of a suggestion made that the incidence of paralytic poliomyelitis was
considerably less among children who had been vaccinated against smallpox, than
among those who had not been so vaccinated. 54 cases of paralytic poliomyelitis
occurring in children aged 0-5 years between 1951—55 were surveyed, with examination
of the actual scars in vaccinated children wherever possible, and set against selected
controls of children who had not had poliomyelitis. The findings were published* and,
whilst it was not claimed that they were statistically significant, it was shown that they
afforded no evidence that smallpox vaccination has a protective action against paralytic
poliomyelitis. The investigation attracted the interest of universities and scientific bodies
in Europe and America; as a result it has been learnt that a similar investigation on a
larger scale in Vienna bore out the findings in the division.
Attendance at
child welfare
centres
The findings of an investigation carried out in the division were published † and
suggested ways in which improvements could be carried out. A large majority of
mothers favour attendance at clinics because they provide a means of obtaining expert
advice, checking progress and relieving anxiety. As the size of their families increases, the
mothers find difficulty in attending, and many of them feel that the knowledge gained
with the first child at the clinic equips them to deal adequately with those that follow.
It was found that the ability to purchase welfare foods (including Ministry of Food
preparations) was not as significant a reason for attendance as was suggested by investigators
elsewhere. Criticisms of the service were few, and those relating to staff and
premises were investigated. The demand for child welfare clinics continues, but their
value is insufficiently appreciated and the atmosphere of the centre, if it has not changed
with the times, may be largelv to blame for this.
The aged
The care and welfare of old persons in their own homes makes increasing calls on
the time of medical and health visiting staff and on the home help service. There is close
co-operation with the family doctors, district nurses and voluntary organisations.
Particularly valuable has been the liaison with the geriatrician at St. Francis Hospital,
who has set up regular conferences which the divisional medical staff attend. A health
visitor acts as the link in social work between the hospital and her colleagues in the area
served by the hospital. The much needed 'examination in health' clinic which has been
established there is a progressive step.
The medical staff of this hospital carricd out a useful investigation on the ability of
older people to detect coal-gas. This was published in a British Medical Association
report on accidental coal-gas poisoning, which also included the results of a survey
undertaken by the divisional staff and the Gas Board on the potential dangers of gas
poisoning in the homes of old people. This work has resulted in a very close and very
necessary liaison between health visitors and officers of the Gas Board, which should
help materially in preventing these accidents.
In this, my last report, I should like to pay special tribute to the loyalty and support
given me by all the divisional staff, both in the office and in the field. It is hoped that
during the past nine years the work has been progressive and that many new fields
have been explored. Any success that has attended these efforts is largely due to the
collaboration and enthusiasm of the divisional staff, who have worked together as a
team.
*The Lancet (1956) ii. pp. 545-6.
†The Lancet (1956) i. pp. 571-4.
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