View report page

50
The figures for the year are set out below:-
Number examined at comprehensive surveys 32,308
Percentage found verminous 2.3
Number examined at selective surveys 7,640
Percentage found verminous 6.68
Number of individual pupils found verminous 844
Number referred to a bathing centre 319
READY FOR SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS
In an attempt to ensure that the children get the full benefit of
education at school entry, a comprehensive developmental examination of
children has been offered at the Borough Child Health Centres. When
the parents put their child's name down at a particular school, they
are given a letter from the Medical Officer of Health by the Headmaster.
It informs them that a pre-school exam for their child is available at
their local centre, so that all aspects of their child's development
can be checked, viz. sight, hearing, speech and eye/hand co-ordination
as well as a physical examination.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND IMMUNISATION
At the pre-school medical examination arrangements were made for
children to receive booster doses of diphtheria and tetanus or/and
polio vaccine.
Second year secondary school girls and boys were Mantoux tested
and of these 2,015 were given. B.C.G.
Third year secondary school girls were given Rubella vaccination
after preparatory talks had been given in the schools by teaching or
Health Department Staff. Parents were sent a special letter and 2,468
girls were given the vaccine. The figure was high as a large number of
girls were given the vaccine in the Autumn term (due to staffing arrangements
and supplies of vaccine being available) instead of spreading the
procedure into 1972. The acceptance of vaccine compared favourably
with the number of girls accepting B.C.G. protection.
RINGWORM
Eight cases of scalp ringworm were reported. A survey of contacts
were made with the kind co-operation of Dr. Slazin of St. John's
Hospital for Diseases of the Skin.
PEDICULOSIS
The percentage of children found verminous during 1971, showed a
definite increase which it was felt was due to the resistance of the head
louse to current methods of treatment. Treatment with a new drug
Malathion began in September 1971, and it is hoped that a new drug
will reduce the incidence over the next few years.