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drug accepted as a cure for the illness and our protection depends, as
always, on vaccination. Vaccination is recommended in infancy, before
the age of two years, preferably in the second year, and provides a basal
immunity which should be reinforced between the age of eight and ten years.
Vaccination is free of charge as regards infants and children of compulsory
school age, and can be arranged through the family doctor or at the nearest
Child Welfare Centre.

The number of children being vaccinated is too low.
Puerperal Pyrexia Eight cases were notified in 1963, compared with
eleven in 1962. No case occurred at home. Puerperal Pyrexia is "any
febrile condition occurring in a woman in whom a temperature of 100.4
Fahrenheit (38° Centigrade) or more has occurred within fourteen days
after childbirth or miscarriage".
Tetanus. Tetanus Immunisation is free of charge, as for Diphtheria
and Whooping Cough Immunisation, for children under sixteen. Immunisation
can be given separately, but in infants is preferably combined with
immunisation against Diphtheria and Whooping Cough. Reinforcing doses
are required at fifteen to eighteen months, at school entry and at age
eight to ten years. A further dose can then be given instead of anti-tetanus
serum following accidents. At present it is routine to inject anti-tetanus
serum after wounds to persons not known to be immunised and it is now
common to give an injection of tetanus toxoid at the same time and follow
up with two further doses at monthly intervals to give active immunity and
avoid the need for further anti-tetanus serum (which can cause reaction)
at some future date. A record of the dates of tetanus injections should
always be carried on the person. During 1963, one thousand, one hundred
and nineteen children received primary injections, and nine hundred and
sixty eight children received reinforcing injections.
It is very desirable that all who work in agriculture or in stables
should be immunised against Tetanus as the tetanus bacillus is present in
horse manure and manured land. Infection enters the body through
contaminated wounds and abrasions.
Food Poisoning No case was notified, compared with five cases in
1962.
The absence of infections due to Salmonellae and Staphylococci in
food is most satisfactory. Prevention of infection depends on scrupulous
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