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the problem was to know whether the organism of whooping cough was
actually involved or some other infective agent. This matter became the
subject of an investigation carried out by the Public Health Laboratory
Service and along with other districts the Department is co-operating in
this research. Thirdly it is pleasing to note the decline in the number of
cases of tuberculosis notified during the year.
In January the Council adopted a recommendation that arrangements
be made for the addition of fluoride to the water supplies of the Borough.
This was submitted to the Colne Valley and Rickmansworth and Uxbridge
Valley Water Companies who both replied to the effect that until such
time as all local health authorities within their respective statutory areas
of supply were in agreement over fluoridation, no action was possible.
The position was unchanged at 31st December, 1966.
The disagreeable habit of inconsiderate members of the public of
dumping rubbish in any convenient open space still unfortunately persisted
during the year. The various departments of the Council concerned
with the clearing up of these eyesores did their utmost to cope with the
problem but it was most disheartening to see a site—only recently cleared
—"full to the brim" again after only a short period of time. A joint
report from the Departments concerned was under consideration by the
Council and it is expected plans for future action to deal with the problem
will be forthcoming early in 1967.
Following the settling down period of 1965, the School Health
Services made steady progress in routine services during 1966. Even
though there was an increase in the school population of 654 to a figure
of 26,723 the improvements in the previous year's staffing resulted in an
increase in the actual numbers of school children receiving a medical and
dental inspection. The fact that out of the large number of children
inspected only 18 or 0.2% were considered to have an unsatisfactory
physical condition is worthy of note and probably gives an indication of
the general good standard of health among local school children.
Routine medical inspections were confined to the usual three age
groups—Entrants, Intermediates, i.e. during first year in secondary school
and Leavers, i.e. last year in school. Mention was made in the report for
1965 of introducing a pilot scheme for a fourth medical inspection at
the age of 7-8 years using the "selective" medical technique but unfortunately
due to other commitments, this aim was not achieved. Every
endeavour will be made to try out the scheme during 1967.
The importance of the detection of defects in any child at the earliest
possible moment in life is now well appreciated. The whole idea being to
mobilise as soon as possible all services for the treatment and care of the
handicapped child and the support of the family in general. Many agencies
are involved in this task—Health, Education and Welfare with perhaps
more emphasis on one particular service, depending on the age of the
child at any given time. During the school life of such a child, the School