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10. Tests for B.C.G. vaccination were made on 2,964 13-year old children out of
a total of 3,057 (75 per cent. of those eligible) whose parents had agreed to their being
tested : of this number, 2,513 showed a negative reaction and were given vaccination
(2,440 in 1956) ; 450 responded positively and 364 of these were X-rayed (504 X-rayed
in 1956) of whom only three were found to be tuberculous (an increase of one over the
previous year). Of the children given vaccination in 1956, a group of 733 was selected
for re-testing, to which the parents of 626 agreed, and 613 were actually tested again :
none was seen to need further vaccination.
Home
nursing
equipment
11. As in past years, the demand for home nursing equipment continued to grow
in 1957. Of 161 requests received, 101 patients were supplied with a total of 122 items of
equipment, including commodes (most in demand), hospital beds, dunlopillo mattresses,
wheelchairs, hoists, etc.
School
medical
treatment
12. There were no seriously long waiting lists at any of the treatment centres.
In the past there has sometimes been a certain amount of anxiety over the delay for
appointments at vision clinics, but additional sessions can now be held to supplement
the regular sessions.
Dental
treatment
13. Dental inspections are held regularly throughout the division and children
are inspected once a year. Evening dental sessions continue to be held where necessary
for the older children and also for expectant and nursing mothers.
Special
investigation
clinics
14. The special investigation clinics held in every part of the division are proving
of considerable value. The children who attend are able to have individual attention
for their minor behaviour problems, as well as treatment for enuresis and inadequate
physical progress, and the results are most encouraging. A new clinic was opened at
Daleham Gardens welfare centre in November.
Audiology
15. Increasing attention is being given to the young deaf child as the importance
of early diagnosis and treatment is fully recognised. Many enquiries are dealt with at
the audiology unit, Grays Inn Road.
Problem
families
16. The divisional treatment organiser now acts as secretary to the divisional
co-ordinating committee in connection with the prevention of neglect and ill-treatment
of children. This Committee met 14 times during 1957 and 21 cases were discussed.
These families continue to receive close supervision. Frequent discussions with field
workers and at divisional co-ordinating committees have reduced the number of
overlapping visits. Reviews by the committee and interim assessments by the divisional
nursing staff show that constructive work is being done. This has been helped by the
training of additional special home helps and the allocation of housing accommodation.
Medical
officers
DIVISION 3, comprising the boroughs of Finsbury, Holborn and Islington.
Dr. W. G. Harding reports :
My first duty in this, my first annual report is to pay tribute to Dr. M. C. Polhill
who retired from the Council's service on 29 November, 1957. Dr. N. C. Walsh was
appointed on 6 December, 1957 to be deputy divisional medical officer in his place.
Smallpox
On 28 June, 1957, smallpox was diagnosed in an unvaccinated child aged six in a
hospital in Tottenham.
The Medical Officers of Health of Finsbury, Holborn and Islington were notified
by their colleague in Tottenham of a number of contacts, and, in consultation with
them it was decided to carry out vaccination of these contacts and their families as far
as possible in the homes of those concerned as call-up to local centres might well have
produced a large number of panic demands for vaccination from others. Dr. E. Simpson,
a medical officer at the Province of Natal Centre was relieved of some of her clinic
duties in order to act as visiting vaccination officer. In an area such as this in which many
waee earners are occupied in the catering trade, manv weekend and late evening visits
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