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52,785 consent cards were sent to parents, and 18,946 (36 per cent.) cards were
returned.
Inoculation
against
poliomyelitis
For the first series of injections in May, 2,959 appointments were offered and 2,353
children attended, of whom 2,145 were immunised. During June 2,263 children were
summoned mainly to receive their second injection. 1,993 attended and 1,921 had the
second injection ; in addition, 157 children received their first injection. For the spring
series as a whole 1,921 children received both injections and 381 the first injection.
663 children summoned did not attend at all, or 21 per cent. of those called.
In December, 1956, 543 appointments were issued, 396 children attended and 388
were given injections, 182 being first injections and 206 the second injection.
Over the year 2,708 children attended clinics, 2,127 children received both injections
and 357 one only. 296 children attended but were rejected by the medical officer; this
represented 8.7 per cent. of those attending for first injections, 3.7 per cent. of those
attending for second injections, or 6.3 per cent. of all attendances.
80 sessions were held at 11 establishments and an average of 57 children received
injections at each session.
At two typical sessions attendances were as follows. In May, 84 children were
summoned and 64 attended; 8 were deferred by the doctor, five being contacts of
infectious disease and three on account respectively of tonsillitis, Sonne dysentery and
asthma. The remaining 56 children were inoculated. During the corresponding session
in June, 55 children were summoned, 46 attended and 45 were inoculated; one with a
tonsil infection was deferred bv the doctor.
Recuperative
holidays
716 apphcations were received for recuperative holidavs during 1956, compared
with 837 during 1955. Of the 716 applications, 521 were actually placed.
294 sessions were held with a total attendance of 1,530.
Health
education
School health
service—
vision
sessions
During the early part of the year the waiting lists for vision sessions for school
children became prolonged and to cope with this, seven additional sessions were held
in the division during the quarter ended 31st March, 1956, under the National Health
Service Act and from 1st April, 1956, the Regional Hospital Board provided three
additional sessions a week.
Special
investigation
clinics
1,455 attendance were made at 205 special investigation clinics, a substantial increase
in the attendances (1,133) in 1955. There were 262 new cases compared with 196 in 1955.
B.C.G.
vaccination
of school
children
The scheme was introduced in the Division during the autumn term of 1955, when
skin tests and vaccination were carried out at the schools by an experienced team. Out
of 4,949 eligible school children, 3,596 whose parents had signified consent were tested
and results were read from 3,529. Negative reaction was obtained from 3,070 children,
of whom all except one were given B.C.G. vaccination.
459 children (12.8 per cent.) were positive reactors. A letter was sent to the parents
notifying them of this result and asking them to inform their family doctors. Fourteen
children, being marked reactors, were referred by the B.C.G. unit directly to chest
clinics. A mass chest X-ray at hospital was arranged for the remainder (445): 327 of
these actually attended; results were satisfactory in 311 cases; in respect of the remaining
16 cases suitable follow-up action was taken. A further effort was made to secure the
attendance of children who failed to attend for X-ray.
A further series of vaccinations occurred from September to December, 1956.
Diversional
therapy for
the
tuberculous
I made reference in my last year's report to the commencing of a diversional therapy
service for home-bound tuberculous patients. This started in December, 1955, and has
proved an undoubted success. A total of eight sessions is now devoted by the therapist
to visits and in all about 30 patients are registered and receiving instruction weekly.
Liaison is, of course, closely maintained with the various chest clinics concerned.
Old peoples'
foot clinic
The weighing room at Fairfield welfare centre was released for one morning a week
from May, 1956, for use by the Wandsworth Old People's Council as a foot clinic.
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