View report page

It would be preferable if, in order to deal effectively with
contacts, more of the apparently isolated cases which occur from
time to time were referred to the Medical Officer of Health.
(b) Vermin.
The number of cases of infestation noted remained small and
was limited to 24 children found to have head nits in school.
Almost all of these were only casual infestations which immediately
responded to the treatment mainly provided by the
parents. A concerted effort is being made to deal with the
few families most prone to reinfestation.
THE CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
The place of immunisation among the measures for the control
of infectious disease remained much as in recent years, and it
is still very important that the parents of all children should ensure
that they are kept as highly immune as possible against diphtheria
by early immunisation and periodical enhancing doses.
The comparatively small risk of this treatment influencing
the onset of poliomyelitis is now well-recognised and precautionary
measures can be instituted as and when these are indicated. It
should certainly not deter parents from agreeing to immunisation
against diphtheria, which treatment will only be given if the time
is considered opportune by the doctor concerned.
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION.
The following table shows the treatment given during 1951,
and the proportion of children estimated to have been immunised
in that year:—
24