Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]
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40
Smallpox
No case of smallpox was notified during the year 1958. The
last case was in 1932.
Scarlet Fever
The number of cases of scarlet fever notified during the year
was 75 as compared with 18 in 1957, equivalent to a case rate of 1.17
per 1,000 population. This disease has continued mild in character.
Of the total number of cases notified six were treated in hospital and
69 were treated at home.
Diphtheria
No case of diphtheria was notified for the ninth year in succession
and only two in the past twelve years, whereas before that cases
averaged sixty per year.
Immunisation and reinforcing doses were available to every
child whose parents gave consent.
Diphtheria Immunisation
There are five clinics within relatively easy reach of everyone,
as well as immunisation sessions held in the schools.
Efforts have continued during the year to obtain the immunisation
of every child before the first birthday. The health visitors urge
mothers at the welfare centres, and at home visits, to have their
children immunised, making special visits in difficult cases.
The following figures show the number of children immunised and reinforced during the year (this includes those children who received the combined diphtheria and whooping cough prophylaxis):—
Immunised. | Reinforced. | Total. | |
---|---|---|---|
Under five years | 790 | 73 | 863 |
Five to fourteen years | 84 | 67 | 151 |
Totals | 874 | 140 | 1,014 |
The following figures show the number of the child population
considered immunised at 31st December, 1958:—