[Report 1966] / Medical Officer of Health, Stoke-upon-Trent Borough.

  • Stoke-on-Trent (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1966
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1966] / Medical Officer of Health, Stoke-upon-Trent Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/186 (page 6)
    The Smallpox (V'ariola Minor) outbreak which occurred in the middb of the year is reported briefly in this report. It involved several of us foi a period of some weeks in a very great volume of work. Since it wa^ Variola Minor the symptoms generally were a three day influenza like illness at the onset during which the patients felt very ill, followed by the rash when the patients quickly felt very much better. Because of thi: they were able to be up and about quickly but whilst still infectious, anc so a great danger to others. The work of tracing the outbreak to it; origins, and of surveillance of contacts and vaccination of those for when it was necessary was both interesting and stimulating. Many long hour: were worked and I am glad to record my thanks for the unstinting worl and help given by Members of my department and of the School Healtl Service and others. I would particularly record my appreciation of th< help given by Dr. G. Laing-Brown, Consultant in Infectious Disease, anc also by Dr. W. Martine from Birmingham who was so helpful in the earb stages. I am glad to report that we were able to make a start on the scheme o cervical cytology even though it is still limited until more cytologists ii the hospital service can be trained. The value of this preventive exam ination measure is shown in that of the first 1,561 women examined fiv were found to have a cancer of the cervix, in each case in an early, easil operable state where permanent cure is possible as a simple procedure In addition 24 were found to be doubtful and where further examinatio and observation was necessary. This is a measure which does save lif and we hope that expansion will soon be possible. There are still a larg number of women within the appropriate age groups who do not com forward for examination which is painless, simple and quick and carrie out in complete privacy. I do appeal to them to apply for an appoim ment. In connection with the Ambulance Service I am pleased to repoi that a start has been made on the new Ambulance Station which shoul vastly improve the conditions under which that service is administerec The station should be completed in 1967. I am also proud to report that for the second year in succession tf same Ambulance Service team of two men Deputy Section Leader I Lowe and Driver Attendant Meakin reached the finals of the Associatio of Ambulance Officers’ National Competitions. Having won this con petition in 1965 they came overall second this year and did win the teai test shield for the second time. This was a very fine achievement. A start was also made on the new central Health Clinic in Longtc which should be opened in 1967.