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WHOOPING COUGH - The notifications of whooping cough, 74, were fewer than in
1956. Facilities for immunisation against this disease are available, and 518 were
inoculated. The condition is most fatal in young babies, and protection should be
provided before the child is six months old. There is evidence that, with the
improvement in the vaccine, the protection, if not complete, does mitigate the severity
of the attack.
MALARIA - No case of malaria was notified during the year.
INFLUENZA - This disease caused 9 deaths as compared with 4 in 1956.
A fairly widespread epidemic occurred in October. The disease was of the 'Asian'
type which had spread across the world from the Far East. On the whole, the attacks
were mild but a large proportion of school children were victims. In some schools
the attendance fell below 50 per cent.
MUMPS, CHICKEN POX, GERMAN MEASLES - These diseases are not notifiable, but cases
are brought to the notice of the Department through schools, health visitors, etc.
During the year, the following cases were recorded: Mumps, 121; Chicken pox, 153 and
German measles, 12.
FEVER HOSPITALS - The Borough is served by the South Middlesex Infectious
Diseases Hospital, but on occasion, accommodation in other fever hospitals of the
North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board is used. During the year, 160
patients from the Borough were admitted to these hospitals. Close contact is maintained
between the hospitals and the Health Department, so that any necessary action
can be taken.
DISINFECTION - The disinfection of bedding etc., is done at the South Middlesex
Infectious Diseases Hospital, while the disinfection of homes is carried out by the
disinfectors on the Health Department staff. In 1946, after considering a report on
the subject, the Council decided to stop terminal disinfection of rooms and bedding
'except in cases of smallpox or where the Medical Officer of Health considers such
disinfection to be advisable.' During the year four rooms were disinfected and 5
lots of bedding destroyed.
LABORATORY - Certain routine bacteriological work is done in the laboratory at
the Health Department. When more detailed investigation is required, specimens are
sent to the National Public Health Laboratory Service. The number of specimens
examined during 1957 was 129.
FOOD POISONING - During 1957 notifications of the occurrence of food poisoning
in 25 persons were received, and during the course of our investigations and from
other sources, a further 2 cases were discovered. A summary of the cases is given
below:-

Single cases
Agent identified unknown cause Total cases
Nil 13(13) 13(13)
() notified under Section 26 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955
The majority were single cases. The largest number affected in any one outbreak
was 7 and this was associated with a Works canteen.
HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER AUTHORITIES
NORTH-WEST METROPOLITAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL BOARD - Two general hospitals (West
Middlesex, 1,150 beds and Hounslow, 81 beds) and one fever hospital (South Middlesex,
140 beds) are situate in the Borough. Part of the accommodation in the fever
hospital is used for other cases. The West Middlesex and South Middlesex Hospitals
are controlled by the South West Middlesex Hospital Management Committee, while
Hounslow Hospital and the Chest Clinic are the responsibility of the Staines Group
Hospital Management Committee. The Regional Hospital Board provides the specialist
services for the hospitals and for domiciliary consultations.
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