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WHOOPING COUGH IMMUNISATION.
The year 1953 was the first in which this treatment was provided
both by private Doctors and at the Infant Welfare Centres.
The following numbers were treated during 1954 and it is pleasing
to note that 104 more children were given primary courses and
that reinforcing doses increased by 129.
Welfare Centres.
Number who completed Primary treatment 368
Number of "Booster" doses given 20
General Practitioners
Number who completed Primary treatment 346
Number of "Booster" doses given 249
At present it is recommended that 3 doses of whooping cough
vaccine should be given (usually combined with a diphtheria
immunisation agent) at monthly intervals, commencing at the
latest in the sixth month, and followed by a "booster" dose at 2
years, but with experience this time table may be varied. As this
treatment is not usually given much after 2 years of age, there is a
tendency for fewer children to be immunised against whooping
cough than against diphtheria, but this year the difference is only
74, or about 10%.
BACTERIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL EXAMINATIONS.
Almost all the specimens requiring bacteriological examination
in the interests of the public health are sent to the
Public Health Laboratory, West Hill House, West Hill Road,
Epsom, and during 1954 reports were received on the following
specimens:—
Milk, ice cream, and water samples 424
Food utensils 225
Nose or throat swabs 33
Food 22
Eye Swabs 2
Faeces 100
Vomit 13
Recta! swabs 10
Samples of water requiring chemical analysis, and milk
for biological examinations were sent by the Local Authority
to The Clinical Research Association, while Food and Drug
samples are submitted to the Public Analyst.
DISINFECTION.
The disinfection of bedding, etc., is undertaken at the Wandle
Valley Hospital, while the disinfection of premises is carried out by
the officers of the Public Health Department.
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