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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 1964, one thousand, five hundred and nine children received
primary injections, and one thousand, six hundred and thirty five 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 Three cases were notified in 1964, compared with
none in 1963. One was in a student at a College out of the District, who
travelled about a lot. The other two were young children in a family, with
two carriers in addition. All were caused by Salmonella Typhi-murium.
The low incidence of food poisoning is most satisfactory. Prevention
of infection depends on scrupulous cleanliness in the production, storage,
manufacture and distribution of food. The washing of hands after use of the
W.C. is the most effective protective measure against intestinal carriers
of infection. Early notification of cases of food poisoning is necessary so
as to obtain the residue of suspected food for bacteriological examination.
No food handler should ever be allowed to return to work without bacteriological
clearance.
Dysentery There were eleven cases of Dysentery in 1964, compared
with thirty eight cases in 1963. All were of the Sonne type. Nine cases
occurred in an institution. The remaining two cases were the parents of
three children although the three children had had symptoms no organism
was recovaed from them.
Sonne Dysentery is a highly infectious form of gastro-enteritis. The
infection is spread by faecal contamination of hands, objects, and in
particular, lavatory seats. Prevention depends on the washing of hands
after the use of the W.C. and on the efficient cleansing of communal W.Cs.
in schools and public places.
It is most desirable that all cases of diarrhoea should be checked
bacteriologically, particularly in the case of school children, and is
essential in food handlers.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fevers No case of Typhoid or Paratyphoid
Fever was reported.
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