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During the same period a case of typhoid fever was notified from
Winchmore Hill. Apart from the fact that two outbreaks of
dysentery were occurring at the same time, it is interesting to note
that the occurrence of a case of typhoid fever is now considered
an event in the health history of any area. This is gratifying, and
shows the advances which have been made in at least one field
of preventive medicine.
Full particulars relating to the outbreaks of Sonne and Flexner
dysentery are set out in Appendix 2 to this Report. These outbreaks
placed quite a heavy burden on the shoulders of the Sanitary
Inspectors, who had many extra visits to make, especially for the
purpose of collecting the necessary bacteriological specimens. These
extra duties were accepted willingly, and proved that the Sanitary
Inspectors were well able to deal with this type of situation. As
this was the first time since the coming into force of the National
Health Service Act, 1946, that we had a chance of trying out the
new system, in which the Sanitary Inspector plays such an important
part, it was particularly pleasing to note that the system worked.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the Sanitary
Inspectors for a very tine job of work. I would also thank the
Health Visitors working in this part of Area No. 2 for the valuable
co-operation which they invariably provided. For at least the past
twelve months, Sonne dysentery has been unusually prevalent, not
only in London but throughout most of the country.
Apart from the New Southgate outbreak, a substantial number
of cases were reported from Southgate, Enfield West, and to a
lesser extent, Winchmore Hill. Although most of these cases
occurred during the early part of 1951, they are obviously linked
to the outbreak which began in the New Southgate area. It is, of
course, impossible to state how far the very stringent methods
of control which we adopted affected the future of the New Southgate
outbreak. I am reasonably satisfied, however, that the
measures undertaken were fully justified, and that although, as I
have already stated, they placed a very heavy burden on the
shoulders of the Public Health Department, our system of investigation
and control had the anticipated effect. Present evidence tends
to show that the high incidence of Sonne dysentery has passed.
Puerperal Pyrexia.—Five cases of puerperal pyrexia were
notified during the year, as against 14 in 1949. It is pleasing to
be able to report that no maternal deaths occurred during the year.
Tuberculosis.—Sixty-seven cases of tuberculosis (64 pulmonary,
3 non-pulmonary) were notified during 1950, as against 81 in 1949,
The distribution of the cases notified among the various wards
during the year was as follows:
North-East. North-West. South. Middle.
18 16 17 16
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