British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 624

CHAPTER XVI.

visiting medical officer. There are some 72,213 children in 468 schools under supervision by the school medical service and attendances for treatment of eye diseases amounted to 2,432,166 in 1944. The number of children dealt with at the periodic medical examinations of scholars was 28,160.

(xv) To carry out vaccination and inoculation.

Anti-smallpox vaccination is legally required within three months of birth. Re-vaccination may be required by notice at the discretion of the Department of Health. Regulations require immigrants to be vaccinated on entry to Palestine. Children arc re-vaccinated on entry to Government schools. The number of vaccinations during 19H was 539,452. Antityphoid, anti-cholera and anti-plague vaccinations are carried out free of charge when epidemic conditions require it.

(xvi) To undertake and maintain preventive measures against epidemic disease, including malaria and opthalmic conditions.

The notification of scheduled infectious disease is compulsory under the Public Health Ordinance. It is the duty of the medical officer of the Department to investigate all cases notified, to deal with the sources of infection and to arrange for the effective isolation of cases and for the disinfection of persons, premises or infected articles. Bathing and disinfecting establishments exist at the ports of Haifa and Jaffa. All public health centres are provided with steam disinfecting machines. Special equipment is maintained at the central medical stores for immediate despatch to the districts in order that temporary epidemic hospitals may be established in tents or requisitioned buildings should an emergency arise. Nursing orderlies, trained in epidemic nursing duties, are maintained on the hospital or district headquarters staff for posting to epidemic hospitals.

6,201 cases of infectious disease were notified during 1944, the circumstances of infection investigated and necessary measures taken. About 3,000 house disinfections were carried out.

The malaria service is principally directed to anti-mosquito control. Free treatment is given in epidemic situations. The medical officers and the inspectorial staff of the Department supervise all anti-mosquito measures in towns and villages, the sealing or oiling of wells, the maintenance or execution of minor drainage schemes and the application of paris green or other larvicides. Foremen for these works are provided by the Department. Labour is provided by land owners or those in occupation of the land. Major schemes of drainage

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