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(7)
Measles also increased,there being 1948 notifications including one
death,that of an infant under one year. In the previous measles epidemic
in 1949 there were 1099 notifications and one death. Records dating from
the beginning of the century show that in 1926 Fulham experienced its
worst epidemic, there being 3700 cases with 47 deaths. During the five
years 1944/1948 no deaths from measles occurred.
The incidence of acute pneumonia also increased by 38 cases over the
1950 figures. These occurred during an epidemic of influenza which took
an unusually heavy toll of the elderly. In the previous years the death
rate due to pneumonia decreased with the single exception of 1947, when
there was a rise, again in conjunction with influenza; not unexpectedly
the older age groups were most affected.
The number of old people requiring investigation by the Public
Health Department and the number of visits paid to them has increased
markedly. It is notable that 110 old people voluntarily entered hospital
for treatment or were admitted to Homes for the Aged. This is a
tribute to the persuasive methods used and the tact and skill of the
Lady Sanitary Inspector. Thanks are due for the excellent co - operation
given by the following Societies and people; Bishop Creighton House
Voluntary Workers, British Red Cross Society, District Nursing Association,
Family Welfare Association, General Practitioners in the district,
the Women's Voluntary Services, the many kindly neighbours and relatives
of the old people and especially to Dr, Wyman and the staff of Fulham
Hospital and the Welfare Officer at King's Mead Institution, wit ho ut
whose help such splendid results could not have been achieved.
The year has seen continuous and increasing efforts to interest people
in public health. Two types of propaganda used are worthy of special
mention - (l) the number of Film Shows at the Central Library was
increased and given a wider scope to include talks on topical health
subjects. These have been well received by attendances almost to the
capacity of the hall. (2) As part of the Festival of Britain celebrations
an open-air "Health Week",which was declared open by the Rt .Hon.
Hilary Marquand, M„P. at the time Minister of Health,was held in June at
Lillie Road Recreation Ground. The weather was good and the items included
a marquee exhibition, demonstrations and displays. This novel form
of exhibition was most successful, the evening open-air displays proving
especially popular and drawing large attendances.
As in London generally the inspection of tenement houses forms a
major part of the work of the District Sanitary Inspectors. Quoting from