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The relatively small number of children immunized by the
"combined" method at the clinics is, of course, explained by the fact
that this method could no longer be used except for those babies in
the investigation.
It is particularly satisfying to be able to report that the whooping
cough immunizations are being carried out much earlier now—for it
is in the early months of life that protection is most needed. Last
year only 56% of the courses were completed before the first birthday,
and a bare 6% before six months of age. For 1954 these figures are
73% (before 1st birthday) and 31% (before six months).
AMBULANCE SERVICE
This service is administered "centrally" from Chelmford, and I
am indeed happy that this should be so. The provision of transport
to and fro hospital is no proper function of a Health Department
which should have all eyes focused on prevention.
PREVENTION OF ILLNESS, CARE AND AFTER-CARE
I have rather laboured the word "prevention" and you may be
surprised to see such a short paragraph regarding it Prevention,
however, is not one facet of our services which can be reported
separately, it is a philosophy which permeates all our work. The
aim of our ante-natal work is to prevent complications and enable
our mothers to have natural and easy labours, by immunizing children
we aim to prevent diphtheria and so on. I would single out for special
mention this year the courses in Health Education, and developments
in the field of Mental Health, referred to earlier in this report.
During the year the Health Area Sub-Committee agreed to the
purchase of a filmstrip projector with sound equipment, which has
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