[Report 1953] / Medical Officer of Health, Pontypool R.D.C.

  • Pontypool (Wales). Rural District Council.
Date:
1953
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1953] / Medical Officer of Health, Pontypool R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    3. regularly by the Doctor. Health Education is stressed and informal talks are given to mothers in the principles of hygiene and healthy living. The prevailing Infant Mortality Rate calls for renewed efforts on the part of all concerned with the care of infants. Towards the end of 1951, the routine skin testing of children under 5 years with tuberculin was introduced at the Infant Welfare Clinics. The Ma ntoux and Jelly Tests are employed. Any positive reactors are referred to the Chest Physician, and all efforts are then concentrated in determining the source of infection. This aspect of Infant Welfare Work forms a part of the Anti-Tuberculosis scheme in operation throughout the County of Monmouthshire Vaccination against Small Pox and Immunisation against Diphtheria are also undertaken at the Clinics, The main object of immunisation schemes is to secure that each generation of infants receives protection at an early age. It is now recommended tha t an infant should be immunised against diphtheria at or about the age of 8 months. The fall in the incidence of diphtheria in recent years is beyond reasonable doubt a remarkable preventive triumph mainly attributable to immunisation. Vaccination against Small Pox is advised when the child has attained the age of 3 months. Since compulsory vaccination has been abolished, Pontypool Rural District, like the rest of the County, has followed the trend of a decrease?this is regrettable. Small Pox continues to occur sporadically in various parts of the Country and we are never free from the possiblity of an outbreak of this disease. Healthy living conditions, good sanitation and general public health services are no substitute for vaccination in connection with prevention and control of Small Pox. Since the National Health Service Act,1946, came into operation Vaccination against Small Pox and Immunisation against Diphtheria have been cairied out free of charge both at the surgeries and at the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres. Great encouragement is given to mothers to have their children vaccinated and immunised. Vaccination against Small Pox. Age Groups. Nos. Vaccinated in 1952 Nos Vaccinated in 1953 Und er 1 year 23 17 1 - 4 Years - 2 5 - 14 years 5 1 15 and over 16 18 44 38 Immunisation a gainst Diphtheria. Age Groups. N os Immunised 1952 Nos Imrnun: 0 - 4 years 51 40 5 - 9 years 1 14 10 - 14 ye a r s 1 - 53 — 54 Dom iciliary Midwife ry and Nursing Services. Under the re—allocation of the District Midwifery and Nursing Services, two district midwives/ nurses are resident in