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clinics, but some local general practitioners have also
taken part in it.
The number of children immunised against diphtheria
and whooping cough is of the same order as last year, and
shows the continued popularity of the combined prophylactic.
There is however, an increase in the number of children
immunised against whooping cough only, this reflects the
change in Ministry policy, whereby the use of combined
prophylactics is being discouraged. This has the advantage
that infants can receive protection against whooping cough
at the optimum age i.e. under 6 months, but they are then
subjected to a total of 5 or 8 injections as compared with
3 when a combined prophylactic is used.
In view of the fact that cases of smallpox are still
reported quite frequently in this country, it is heartening
to notice an increase in the number of persons of all
ages vaccinated against the disease. Although one hopes
that this increase is due to a genuine desire for protection,
the number of international certificates of vaccination
presented for signature is a suspicious circumstance
and raises the question as to whether compulsion of a
different kind has replaced the old regulations.
The figures set out in the tables on page 12 giving
details of diphtheria and whooping cough immunisation and
vaccination against smallpox and poliomyelitis, were given
by courtesy of the Area Medical Officer.
Water Supply:
Apart from a small area in the south which is supplied
by the South West Suburban District Water Company the dis
trict's water supply comes from the Rickmansworth and
Uxbridge Valley Water Company. One property is supplied
by a well owing to its distance from a main source of supplyDuring
the year 18 samples have been taken and with the
exception of one sample of well water, all were of a satisfactory
standard.
Medical Examination of Council Staff:
The total number of examinations carried out during
1957 was 167. Of these 34 were for Superannuation purposes
alone. 31 for admission to the Council's Sick Pay Scheme.
5 8 for Sick Pay and Superannuation and 44 for various
special purposes.
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