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7
Exclusion of cases and contacts from school, together with treatment
controlled by bacteriological examination of specimens brought the
outbreak to an end by the end of July.
The remaining cases occurred singly or in pairs in various parts of
the borough and were quite unrelated to one another.
Immunization.
The schemes for immunizing children against diphtheria and whooping
cough were continued as in former years. In 1954 there was
no interruption since there was no undue prevalence of poliomyelitis
and the response of parents was very good.
At the end of the year the percentage of pre-school and school
children immunized was higher than ever before and, indeed, higher
than in most parts of the country.
Late in the year it was decided to recommend that immunization
against diphtheria and whooping cough (combined) should commence
at 3 months and be followed by vaccination against smallpox at 6
months.
This is proving popular and the result should be that a higher proportion
of infants under 1 year will be protected and the vaccination
rate will rise .
B.C.G.
A start was made with the scheme to offer vaccination against
tuberculosis with B.C.G. to all school children who are in their 13th
year. Response was good and the organization worked smoothly with
little interruption to school routine.
Such inoculation should give useful protection during the subsequent
four or five years after which natural development of resistance
should supersede. This, together with improved facilities for the
diagnosis, treatment and isolation of cases, should help to eradicate
this crippling disease from the country in the forseeable future.
The population is becoming more conscious of the importance of
good health and their willingness to make use of services offered is an
important factor in the progress of any scheme.
Care of the Chronic Sick.
This continues to be one of the most difficult problems. Richmond is
situated within a hospital area which contains a very large number of
cr y Pe°ple. A good deal is done for them but only too often it is
ouri that when they become ill the available services are inadequate.