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(f) It has already been established that vaccination against smallpox
when there is an outbreak is not only a prophylactic weapon for
the defence of those placed at risk and thus, indirectly for the
community as a whole; but is also potentially a source of clinical
and administrative embarrassment when indiscriminenately
applied.
ENTERIC FEVER
There were two cases of paratyphoid fever notified during the year.
In the report for 1961 mention was made to a lady who had contracted
this disease and who, unfortunately, had become a faecal carrier. Because
of her work as a cook, she was excluded from engaging in any trade or
business concerned with the preparation or handling of food or drink for
human consumption and was compensated under the provisions of the
Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations and Section 308 of the
Public Health Act, 1875. During 1961 she had several courses of intensive
antibiotic therapy all to no avail. She finally agreed to enter hospital for
surgical treatment and in September, 1962 had her gall bladder removed.
Unfortunately, further testing proved that she was still excreting the germ.
She must now be considered to be a chronic intestinal carrier and will be
kept under periodic laboratory surveillance. At the end of the year she was
still receiving compensation for not engaging in her occupation as a cook.
DYSENTRY AND FOOD POISONING
The small numbers of notifications of these two conditions bear no
reality to their prevalence, particularly in institutions. The practice, still
not eliminated, of partial cooking of meat dishes the day before consumption
is a major factor in outbreaks of one particular form of food poisoning.
POLIOMYELITIS
The district was fortunate in being clear of poliomyelitis during the
year.
April 1962 saw the introduction of Sabin's oral vaccine in the clinics
and in October the four in one vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus,
whooping cough and poliomyelitis became available for use by general
practitioners. Its use in the clinics has not yet been sanctioned.
The following is a summary of the work done during the year:—
(a) Primary Immunisation:—