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43 <br /> Report of the <br /> Barnstable County Health Department <br /> There has been increased service in all program areas. <br /> The stimulation and challenge of change has led us to the <br /> need to assess and review existing programs and to modify <br /> our efforts and then expand in other areas. <br /> The addition of a new position, laboratory technician, <br /> has enabled the staff in environmental health to carry out <br /> more procedures — testing of more water samples, milk sam- <br /> ples, shellfish samples, and to offer more time in consul- <br /> tation to health agents. The community is asking for more <br /> information about the immunization and recommendations <br /> for travellers, for the elderly, for children, and for infor- <br /> mation and reassurance about insect-born diseases and food- <br /> borne disease outbreaks. This year the threat of mosquito <br /> born eastern viral encephalitis was high-lighted, but no cases <br /> occurred in this area, and a tick-borne disease rarely occur- <br /> ring in humans was reported in a neighboring area. Less <br /> dramatic but of continued importance is maintenance of the <br /> tuberculosis register and guidance in the epidemiological <br /> follow-up of 8 newly diagnosed cases. The Massachusetts <br /> Department of Public Health has provided a part-time nurse <br /> epidemiologist for the control of venereal disease in the <br /> County. She shares office space with us. Participation has <br /> continued in a research study of the content of fluoride in <br /> tooth enamel in certain children who do not drink fluor- <br /> idated water. Priority has been given to education, eval- <br /> uation and to some fluoride treatments for pre-school and <br /> primary children. A college premedical sophmore spent an <br /> intersession extern period with us, observing the work of <br /> various disciplines. Two physical therapy senior students <br /> had a field placement experience in public health practice. <br /> The students in the Upper Cape Regional Vocational Tech- <br /> nical School program for licensed practical nurses each ob- <br /> served in the Handicapped Childrens Clinic as part of their <br /> pediatric experience. The summer sanitary inspector was <br /> a junior student majoring in public health. <br /> i <br /> i <br />