View report page

are chiefly young babies receiving their first course. On the other hand it
will be observed that attention was focused on increasing the immunity
of the school children. A questionnaire was sent to the parents of all
children attending the public elementary, secondary and private schools
in the District, from which up-to-date information was received as to the
state of the children's immunity. Consent was also obtained to the vast
majority being given reinforcing doses by the Medical Officer of Health
when he considered this desirable. Others were encouraged by the enquiry
to obtain further treatment from their own Doctors. By the end of the
year a considerable proportion of the schools had been visited and by
the middle of 1947 all schools which had more than an insignificant
number of children had been visited, including private schools, isolated
children being seen at the clinics.
As a result of this enquiry and subsequent treatment it can be stated
with a very reasonable degree of accuracy that at least 44 per cent. of
children from 1 to 5 years of age and 90 per cent, of those 5-14 years of
age have been immunised and the vast majority of the latter have received
at least one reinforcing dose.
In order to maintain this high degree of immunity of the children
in the District it is very desirable that all children shall, if possible, have
completed their first treatment by the time they are a year old, while
older children should receive an extra dose at about 5 years, 10 years and
possibly 15 years of age. Use can well be made of the Schick Test in the
eldest children as revealing and at the same time increasing their immunity.
No noteworthy alteration was made during the year on recent
practice, A.P.T. being extensively used for children up to 9 years of age
and T.A.F. for older children.
Since the Diphtheria Immunisation Scheme was first introduced in
this District a system of appointments in respect of all attendances at
clinics has been maintained, a practice which is very exceptional if not
unique.
A fee of 1/- is payable for each notification of children immunised by
General Practitioners, but since the offer was first made in December, 1945,
no notification has been received, although doubtless an appreciable
number of children are thus treated annually. This failure to assist the
collection of accurate information is regretted.
DIABETES.
The supply of insulin at reduced cost or free of charge to residents
unable to obtain such supply through other agencies was continued
throughout the year. The number of cases remained small, only 6 being
supplied in this way during 1946.
AMBULANCES.
For Infectious Disease Cases.—The Wandle Valley Joint Hospital
Board has provided two motor ambulances for the removal of cases
of infectious disease to hospital. The use of these ambulances is limited
to the area served by the Hospital Board.
27