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18
Dr Thomas operated a service of offering female staff of child bearing age
in such schools, blood tests to detect immunity to rubella. Results were
also sent to the family doctor so that a woman found susceptible could be
offered vaccination with appropriate safeguards if this was deemed advisable.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Additional treatment facilities were provided at the Special Clinic at
the Croydon General Hospital. Efforts to promote preventive publicity are
detailed by the Principal Health Education Officer, but no rapid improvements
can be anticipated.
Undoubtedly these diseases cause discomfort or chronic ill health to
those infected, and economic loss to the community, but the only deaths
directly attributable in 1972 were 8 due to "Syphilis and its sequelae".
Since 3 of the individuals involved were over 55 and the remainder over
75 years of age, they could not have had the benefits of antibiotic treatment.
Readiness to accept advice to attend the special clinics, as
indicated by mounting numbers, does give hope that serious sequelae
will be prevented, even if prevalence is not reduced.