Report of the Commission of Public Health to the Minister of Public Health / Department of Public Health, Victoria.

  • Victoria. Commission of Public Health.
Date:
[1970]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report of the Commission of Public Health to the Minister of Public Health / Department of Public Health, Victoria. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/36 (page 13)
    The use of Salk vaccine commenced in 1956. As from August 1968, Sabin oral vaccine has been used and in line with the other Australian States, it is now the sole agent. A total of 3,091,810 doses has been distributed to date. After-care treatment. The Department continues to provide orthopaedic supervision and physiotherapy services to poliomyelitis patients who are still requiring this help. In addition, splints are supplied when necessary, and only those in more favourable financial circumstances are expected to contribute towards their cost. Patients who have been diagnosed as suffering from multiple sclerosis or acute infective polyneuritis are afforded similar aid. An additional seventy patients in these categories have sought help in the past twelve months. The physiotherapy staff of the Poliomyelitis Division has also continued its work in psychiatric hospitals, the Allambie Reception Centre, and at Ante-natal Clinics conducted by the Maternal and Child Welfare Branch. Immunization Material issued to Municipalities 1969/70 (with figures for 1968/69 for comparison). Material. Number of Doses. 1968-69. 1969-70. Measles Vaccine 77,710 Sabin Vaccine 1,329,720 1,624,590 Salk Vaccine .. 112,304 2,107 Triple Antigen 291,220 294,010 Combined Diphtheria-Tetanus Prophylactic 104,186 110,185 Purified Tetanus Toxoid (A.P.A.) 55,868 50,262 Smallpox Vaccine 24,709 23,416 Schick Test Toxin 1,810 3,406 Purified Diphtheria Toxid (Diluted) 3,497 1,785 Diphtheria Prophylactic (P.T.A.P.) 1,327 1,072 Government Clinic. During this period 3,115 males and 1,385 females (total 4,500) attended the Government Clinic for examination. These included 161 males and 88 females (total 249) who presented for the purpose of a blood test as required by the U.S.A. and other countries for visa purposes. Venereal Disease:—The following table shows the number of cases of gonorrhoea and syphilis detected at the Clinic with comparative figures covering recent years:— Table I. GOVERNMENT CLINIC. Year. Total Patients. Gonorrhoea. Syphilis. Male. Female. Total. Male. Female. Total. 1969.. 4,500 877 644 1,521 64 10 74 1968.. 4,114 769 296 1,065 51 3 54 1967.. 4,255 776 378 1,154 40 7 47 1966.. 4,205 832 379 1,211 22 3 25 It can be seen that there was a significant increase in the number of both males and females seeking investigation. This is considered to have resulted from publicity given to this subject in the past twelve months through the press, television and also articles on venereal disease written up in papers distributed by the various student bodies. The table also shows an increase in gonorrhoea detected in females at the Government Clinic compared with 1968/69 this being due to the increased number of patients seeking examination and more intensive contact tracing. It is intended to step up this aspect of the work of the clinic in the future.