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In order to deal more effectively with families who are chronically infested with
head lice, a Special Sub-Committee of the Health Visitors' Consultative Committee was
formed. The membership of the Sub-Committee was subsequently extended to include senior
medical and nursing officers and the Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector.
A survey was made by the Health Visitors in order to get an estimate of the size
of the problem. The Sub-Committee made certain recommendations, and has continued to
meet periodically to review progress with individual families and to consider new ways and
means in the light of experience gained from the project.
Results of Survey
Number of families reported as chronically infested 38
Number of families with five or more children 26
Total number of children involved 200
Under 5 years 45
School age 124
Over school age up to 18 yrs 40
On trying to assess the causes of chronic infestation it came to light that there were
several factors which were contributing to a family drifting into this condition. The
Committee concluded that it was useless to deal with individual infested children unless the
whole family was tackled and treated as a whole, according to its special problem, as is the
practice with a problem family.
In each case the district Health Visitor is the person responsible for the family case
work in co-operation with her colleagues who see the children in school.
A new henachloride preparation is issued to the family free of charge for the first
course of treatment and subsequently if inficated: combs are also available on loan. Where
there is a heavy family infestation and bedding Is suspected of being Infested, arrangements
for disinfestation are made by the Public Health Inspector.
The intensive case work with these families seems to be showing encouraging results,
reflected both In the decline in numbers of children Infested and in the number of cleansing
notices served. It is gratifying to see that not a single cleansing order had to be Issued
during this year.

HOME VISITS
These visits enable to Health Visitor to link her observation of the child In school
with the family background.
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