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 Surbiton]
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SMALLPOX.
Whilst this disease only appears in this country at rare
intervals it is still prevalent in many parts of the world and
its introduction here is an ever-present threat.
Its seriousness is such that the simple precaution of
vaccination ought not to be neglected even though it is no
longer compulsory.
Patients of all ages can be vaccinated by their own
doctors, whilst children are also dealt with at the Clinics
under the control of the Surrey County Council.
Calf-lymph for vaccination is obtainable from the Central
Public Health Laboratory at Colinuale.
The number of persons who were vaccinated or re-vaccinated during 1957 was:-
Age Groups | Under 1 | 1 | 2-4 | 5-14 | 15 or over | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vaccinations | 57 | 28 | 43 | 102 | ||
Re-vaccinations | - | - | 13 | 35 | 303 | 351 |
Calculations show that by the end of 1957 some 70% of
children born between 1st July, 1956 and 30th June, 1957, have
been vaccinated. This is a very satisfactory figure.
SONNE DYSENTERY.
The following table shows the number of cases occurring during the past eight years since first recognition of this disease in Surbiton:-
1950 | |||
1951 | 62 | 1955 | 25 |
1952 | Nil | 1956 | 289 |
1953 | 10 | 202 |
All but four of the 202 cases notified this year occurred in
the early months and were a continuation of the 1956 outbreak.
The total number of cases notified in England and Wales
during 1956 was 48,982 and during 1957 was 28, 898.
We feel it would be helpful to repeat some of the information
written in last year's Annual Report.
Personal hygiene is of the utmost importance in prevention
especially the washing of hands after use of water-closet and
before eating.
W.Cs.should be kept scrupulously clean, seats, chain-pulls
and door handles in particular being frequently washed.
Schools are naturally associated with the dissemination of
the illness, but without doubt it also spreads rapidly through
households once introduced. It is therefore regarded as a
"family" illness necessitating checking of all contacts. This
16.