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Patients who had resided in London all their lives
or for at least 10 years 61
Patients who had resided in other parts of the country
all their lives prior to coming to Kensington 49
Patients from whom information concerning origin was not
obtained but where it is believed to be this country 17
Patients from Ireland who resided here at least 10 years
prior to notification 8
Patients notified abroad before coming this country
(Ireland 4, Egypt 1, S.Africa 1, France 1, New Zealand l) 8
Patients from Poland who resided here at least 10 years
prior to notification 2
Patients who resided here at least 10 years prior to
notification: (Ethiopia 1, Nepal 1, Hungary 1, West Africa l) 4
Patients from whom information concerning origin could not
be obtained 99
TOTAL 248
The investigation only covered patients newly notified or
transferring into the borough from other areas. The total of two
hundred and ninety-seven cases surveyed differs from the total of tuberculous
patients visited in the year. The difference consisted of old cases
changing residence within the borough.
In 1951, a full survey was not made, but it was estimated that
20% of the tuberculous patients visited for the first time in that year
were immigrants who contracted the disease within ten years of arrival in
this country. A more accurate investigation showed that the proportion
for 1952 was 16%, whilst the comparable figures for 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956
and 1957 were 10%, 16%, 17% 15% and 16% respectively. From the
statistics this year, it is perhaps worth noting that 37% of the immigrants
contracted the disease within one year of arrival in this country; 61%
contracted it within three years of arrival. Persons born in the
Republic of Ireland were regarded as immigrants for this purpose.
The 1951 Census figures showed that out of a total Kensington
population of 168,160, there were 29,353 residents (or just over 17%)
who were born outside the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Whooping Cough
One hundred and thirty cases were notified during the year,
five of which were treated in hospital. No death was reported from this
disease.
International certificates
In order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, certain
countries require that visitors should be vaccinated or inoculated against
specified diseases.
International certificates have been prescribed for smallpox,
yellow fever and cholera. When completed by the medical practitioner,
the certificate must be authenticated by the Medical Officer of Health.
During the year, three thousand, two hundred and thirty-nine
of these certificates were authenticated in Kensington. In addition,
twenty-seven special exemption certificates were issued to travellers
for use in the United States of America.