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38.
Dysentery
No cases were notified during the year. The need, however,
for hygienic practices to prevent this disease and the enteric group
of diseases cannot be too strongly emphasised: careful handwashing
after every visit to the toilet and also before preparing and eating
food is the key to the successful elimination of them. Much can
and is being done at school to train children in hygienic ways, but
it is in the home that a solid foundation in healthy habits can be
established; the good example of parents and older children is
invaluable in this respect. Young children, in particular, need
constant supervision and training in this matter.
Food Poisoning
There were seven cases of food poisoning all of which were
investigated. In five of them it was possible to identify the
causal agent.
Three of the seven cases arose from an outbreak at a school in
a neighbouring area.
Food Hygiene
The Health Inspectors maintained close liaison with all food
premises in the Borough.
Vaccination
875 persons received primary vaccination and 499 were revaccinated
during the year.
These figures are a great increase on those for 1956, viz: 309
and 178 respectively, and there is no doubt in my mind that this sudden
increase was due to the occurrence of a case of smallpox in an
adjoining authority and a suspected case in another one.
How the public flock to the vaccination centres when smallpox is
near at hand, only to neglect it when the risk has passed! The tragic
thing about this is that flocking to the vaccination centres may be too
late to avert the disease in every case. Vaccination should be
carried out in early infancy and revaccination every three years.
National Assistance Act. 1948
(a) Section 47: Care of Aged and Chronic Sick. There were no cases
needing statutory action under this section.
Hospital accommodation, or accommodation in hostels for the aged,
was arranged for several aged and infirm persons. In a few other
instances the provision of a home help obviated the need for hospital
care.