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B.C.G. immunisation has been used in an endeavour to increase
immunity in groups who are especially exposed to heavy infection.
All can assist in this battle, individual residents by maintaining
their general health and accepting regular examinations, together,
if necessary, with early treatment; the District Councils in their
housing policy, the County Councils in their provision of clinics,
after-care, etc., and the Regional Hospital Boards by their arrangements
for treatment.
The Mass X-ray Unit last visited this District in June, 1955
but many residents can and do avail themselves of facilities at their
work or in London, Croydon and the surrounding Districts. The
commencement of the erection of an ad hoc Chest Clinic at Purley
Hospital, which has been long awaited, is most welcome, the present
arrangements being very unsatisfactory for the public and staff.
NON-NOTIFIABLE INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
Less is inevitably known of infectious diseases which doctors
are not required to notify because they are normally not very
serious. Informal arrangements are, however, made each year for
a few selected doctors to act as 'Spotters' in case influenza breaks
out, and all are welcome to help in passing on information of any
unusual outbreaks. The death returns and the sickness returns
of the Ministry of Labour also help confirm the presence of influenza,
but, fortunately, this disease was not prevalent in 1956.
Head Teachers are also required to notify absences due to
any infectious disease and as deduced from their returns, during
1956 chickenpox was mildly epidemic, mainly in Woodcote and
Old Coulsdon, while a fair number of cases of mumps occurred
in Woodcote with smaller numbers in Coulsdon and Purley. Small
outbreaks of German measles were noted in Coulsdon and Old
Coulsdon.
The teachers are provided with instructions prescribing the
minimum periods for which cases of infectious diseases must be
excluded from school and. where necessary, these are supplemented
by advice from the school doctors or Health Visitors who also
visit the homes as and when desirable and practicable.
INFESTATIONS.
Although not in any way infectious, it is convenient to include
here a note on the measures taken to reduce the commonest infestations
:—
(a) Scabies.
Is due to a mite which lives on or in the skin; it was common
during the war, but fortunately only one case came to the notice
of the Health Department during 1956. Early notification of any
case is very desirable in order that contacts may receive preventive
treatment while the patient is being treated.
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