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7
A rather better picture is shown by the rise in the number of
vaccinations, against smallpox; there were 1,198 primary vaccinations, as
compared with 831 the previous year, and 373 re-vaccinations as compared
with 264. Again there were no cases of smallpox in the town.
Measles and whooping cough, following the national trend, showed
an increase in notifications over the previous year. The numbers were:
measles—notifications 1.468, deaths nil; Whooping cough—notifications 1,121,
deaths nil. The numbers notified in the winter of 1950/51 were the greatest
since notification was made compulsory in 1940; the deaths, however,
thanks to modern treatment, did not rise in a corresponding fashion.
The problem of food hygiene is receiving attention. Experience has
shown that it is difficult to stimulate interest in this topic, except amongst
the public who patronise establishments that purvey food. It has been
decided not to proceed with the formation of Clean Food Guilds until the
Report of the Catering Trade Working Party has been considered by all
concerned, as it is possible that further legislation may be introduced which
will simplify the problem. Meanwhile two of the more senior sanitary
inspectors are now devoting their entire time to inspection of food establishments
and factories. Education is of paramount importance in this
regard; a film strip projector has been purchased, and many lectures given
to the public by the Chief and Deputy Chief Sanitary Inspectors and
myself. Included in this effort was a series of talks to the Children's
Cinema Clubs on Saturday mornings by the Senior Sanitary Inspector.
School Health Service.
This Service now deals with a population of 21,497. The Service is,
in general being conducted efficiently and comprehensively. The main
black spots of the previous year are, however, still with us—(a) the great
deficiency in dentists; (b) the absence of an Orthoptic Clinic; (c) lack of
residential accommodation for mentally and physically handicapped
children; and (d) the long waiting lists for operations for tonsils and
adenoids. Apart from (b), where the delay has been due to negotiations
between the County and the Regional Hospital Board, these problems are
national in extent. The Child Guidance Clinic has seen many changes this
year. Dr. Burton, who has been consultant psychiatrist since the inception
in January 1949, left on reaching the retirement age in June 1951, and his
absence will be a source of regret to all the staff. However, the appointment
of ancillary personnel has been rather more successful than of late
and there is every chance that in the autumn of this year the clinic will
for the first time be fully staffed. Should this prove to be the case, some
inroads might be made into the large waiting list of 62, which is in itself
much smaller than it might be, as it has been strictly pruned.
Attention is drawn to the interesting experiment described in the
School Health Service section, to ascertain if B.C.G. vaccination of school
leavers will influence the incidence of tuberculosis.
Part III Services, the successor to the old Maternity and Child Welfare
Service, continues to expand. The number of cases sent for convalescence
under Section 28 has increased from 37 to 58; the number of articles of
sick room equipment on loan at the end of the year was 27, as compared
with 5 the previous year. Home Nursing is at present conducted from the
Training School in Leytonstone, but it is hoped that in future the service
may be more fully integrated with other services provided locally. Home
Nursing has shown a remarkable expansion since it was conducted on a
voluntary basis prior to the coming into force of the National Health
Service Act in 1948; 1,752 cases were served in 1950, as compared with
1,563 the previous year.