London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kingston upon Thames 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
This page requires JavaScript
148
Present standards of cleanliness and freedom from infestation
have enabled discretion concerning the frequency of hygiene inspections
to be used.
Infectious and Contagious Diseases
The number of children prevented from attending school because they were suffering from, or in contact with, infectious or contagious diseases, including any who were excluded on suspicion, is shown in the following table:
| Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Smallpox | |
| Diphtheria | |
| Scarlet Fever | 18 |
| Enteric Fever | |
| Measles | 232 |
| Whooping Cough | 33 |
| German Measles | 102 |
| Chicken Pox | 424 |
| Mumps | 566 |
| Jaundice | |
| Dysentery | 176 |
| Influenza | 94 |
| Other | 149 |
| Total | 1794 |
Immunisation and Vaccination
It is now usual for children to be immunised fully against
diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and poliomyelitis by the time they
enter school at five years of age. In addition, the majority are
vaccinated against smallpox. The necessary reinforcing injections
are made available to children while they are in school.
The percentage of children immunised can be regarded
generally as satisfactory, and the co-operation of head teachers in
making arrangements for medical officers to visit the schools is very
much appreciated.