aS =
Course 154

 

6. Control of Communicable Diseases

 

Hisorically, control of communicable diseases was the first activity of
the health department.

a. Organization

In the larger departments, there is usually a bureau or division in
which ell of the work is centered, and in some cases a separate
division for tuberculosis and venereal diseases. In smaller depart-
ments the work is organized under control of health officer or
someone having other duties as well as control of communicable dis-
eases.

(1) Field Force

(a) Medical inspectors
(b) Public health nurses
(c) Quarantine officers

b. Procedure

(1) Legal. Action based upon State regulations and local
ordinances.

(2) Notification by card or phone.

(3) Investigation of cases (fpidemiology)

(4) Quarantine and isolation.

(5) Campaigns against specific diseases

(a) Tuberculosis

(b) Venereal diseases
(c) Typhoid

(d) Diphtheria

7. Child Hygiene

The modern conception of an adequate child hygiene program includes
provision for pre-natsl, and obstetrical care, infant welfare, pre-
school and school hygiene.

By means of such a program we may hone to lessen stillbirth, increase

the vitality of children born alive, safeguard them through the most
dangerous periods of their lives, correct their disabling defects, and

to pass the larger proportion of them on to the schools in good condition,
and finally to graduete them from schools better able physically to

carry on the business of living,

a. Pre-natal Service

 

The results reflected in our infant mortality rates indicate the
need for adequate facilities for pre-natal care for all mothers,
either by private physicians or clinics.

b. Maternity Service

 

The high maternal mortality in U.S. can only be reduced by improve-
ment in quality and availability of good obstetrical service.