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11
Poliomyelitis — Vaccination began to gain momentum during the
year, as the scheme had only been started on a very restricted scale
the previous year.
Children born between January, 1947 and December, 1954, who
had been registered were eligible for vaccination, but as the British
Vaccine was in short supply progress was slow. The scheme is
operated by the County Council under the direction of the Divisional
Medical Officer.
Tuberculosis — B.C.G. vaccination is offered to every child between
the age of 13 and 14. The scheme is carried out by the County
Council.
Lung Cancer
The incidence of lung cancer in this area is higher than the rate
for England and Wales, and there is a continued increase in the
number of cases. Although the deaths in men is rather less than last
year there is a marked increase in the number of women dying from
this condition.
There is now very strong evidence that smoking plays a large
part in causing lung cancer and it has been shown that the incidence
is much reduced in people who have previously smoked and given
it up.
It cannot be too strongly emphasised that the first step in the
prevention of lung cancer is for smokers to stop smoking. This is
often very difficult and underlines the importance of teaching young
people the dangers of smoking and so prevent them taking up the
habit.