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7
Prevention of Tuberculosis.
Active immunization against tuberculosis with B.C.G. is offered
each year to children aged 13 years. The object is to give added
protection against the disease during the adolescent period when they
are particularly susceptible. Subsequently they develop the natural
immunity which results from the normal activities of adult life.
About 80% of parents of eligible children take advantage of this
scheme.
Prevention of Poliomyelitis.
Unfortunately 1957 was again a year of very limited supplies of
vaccine. Additional age groups were allowed to register but sufficient
doses were not available for all of these when the year ended.
At the present time the scheme is being operated by the staff of
the County Council on a Divisional Basis and figures for Richmond
alone are not available.
I look forward to the time when supplies are unlimited and a
campaign can be commenced to bring in all those who have not yet
registered.
CARE OF THE AGED AND THE CHRONIC SICK.
There is little change to report in the local scheme for the care of
the aged and chronic sick which was set out in the Annual Report
for 1955.
Health Visitors continue to supervise those who have become frail
in health and to help them to obtain 'any assistance which is available
from the Statutory or Voluntary organizations.
Co-operation between the Hospital, General Practitioner, and Local
Health Authority Services, continues to improve.
When the domicilliary services are insufficient to meet the needs
of the case they are referred to the Welfare Office for admission to
a Home or to the Geriatrician for admission to Hospital.
Responsibility for the supervision of patients awaiting admission to
hospital is assumed by the Geriatrician who has a Health Visitor
occupied full time on this work.
In the winter months, and particularly when influenza is prevalent,
the demand in hospital beds is liable to become critical. However,
apart from these crisis, the needs of the people are being met and a
bed is invariably found for a really desperate case.