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of advising parents to have their children immunised against
pertussis during the first six months of life is having a beneficial
effect, although the evidence accumulated each year points in this
direction. The decrease in notifications over the past few years,
certainly gives us reason to believe that this is, in fact, the case.
We also know that, even when a case of pertussis (whooping
cough) occurs in a child who has been immunised, the disease is
mild, complications, once very serious, being virtually unknown.
I have always been a very strong believer in immunisation against
pertussis. I am glad to think that this policy may now be paying
the expected dividends.
Smallpox.
No cases of smallpox occurred in 1958. In view of the limited
outbreak of smallpox in Tottenham during 1957, the fact that the
vaccination rate among Southgate children (the most recent figure
was 90%) is most encouraging.
Food Poisoning, including Sonne dysentery.
During 1958, there were 39 cases of dysentery and 9 cases of
food poisoning notified, as against 15 cases or dysentery and 8 cases
of food poisoning during 1957.
I can add little to the paragraphs contained in the Annual
Report for 1957. The policy there set out has been continued, and
seems to be proving effective. Evidence has been accumulating
that Salmonella food poisoning is on the increase. For that reason,
the most careful enquiries are made into every case reported to
the Public Health Department, in an effort to trace the cause and
to eliminate any hazard which exists, either in Southgate or elsewhere.
Although cases of Sonne dysentery are reported from time to
time, especially from our schools, no part of the district and no
school was particularly affected during 1958.
Tuberculosis.
30 cases of tuberculosis (28 pulmonary and 2 non-pulmonary)
were notified during the year, as against 42 in 1957.