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This consideration, which applies particularly to the large
number of infections which are chiefly spread in the droplets the
patient sprays around when speaking, coughing or sneezing, has
resulted in less justification for following the practice of isolation
or segregation and disinfection.
There is still a place for excluding for 48 hours, persons
starting to show signs of a 'cold', which may prove to be something
even more serious. This will help to reduce the doseage
others may receive.
Nevertheless, it is obviously most desirable in all cases in
which it is practicable, to increase the resistance of the population
to those infections with which they will almost inevitably come into
contact sometime, hence the steadily increasing emphasis on, and
practice of immunisation. The following brief notes are an attempt
to summarise the present position in regard thereto.
SMALLPOX.
Vaccination against this often deadly disease was historically
the first attempt to provoke a mild attack which would reduce the
chances of a severe reaction. Subsequently, vaccination with a
milder but related vaccine was generally adopted and made compulsory,
but during this century, in this Country increasing advantage
was taken of the ways in which this requirement could be
avoided, with the result that only about a third of the population
was being vaccinated.
Under the National Health Service Act, 1946, vaccination
against smallpox was left to voluntary acceptance, and for the last
five years at least 60% of the babies in this District have been
vaccinated. In 1957 there were 294 primary vaccinations carried
out in the Welfare Centres (and 28 revaccinations, including adults)
and 568 (including 48 of 15 years and over) by General Practitioners,
who also revaccinated 48 children under 15 years and 163
persons over 15 years. As the above figures include the primary
vaccination of 732 babies under 1 year of age, no less than about
76% of the babies born in that period were vaccinated, which is
most commendable.
ENTERIC, CHOLERA AND YELLOW FEVER.
Immunisation against typhoid and paratyphoid fevers was introduced
successfully during the Boer War and has been used since,
with the addition of vaccination against cholera and yellow fever
when considered desirable, for the protection of troops and others
proceeding abroad, the nature of the vaccine depending upon the
Countries to be visited.
Reference was made earlier to the desirability of certain of
these forms of immunisation being more generally obtained by
holiday makers going abroad. Private doctors will advise on how
and where they can be secured.
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