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6
by the germ that causes this disease. Steps taken to deal with this
situation were thorough, although prolonged, because it was not until
some two months after we became aware of the first cases that we were
satisfied that there was no more risk of diphtheria cases, or carriers,
arising in the area. I take this opportunity of thanking my colleagues
who took an active part in dealing with the situation. The main work
fell on Dr. Plumley, who was well supported by the Public Health
Inspectors, the Health Visitors and School Nurses. The teaching start
of the schools concerned were most co-operative in placing facilities at
our disposal for taking swabs, and I would particularly like to thank the
Director of the Public Health Laboratory, Dr. A. J. H. Tomlinson,
for the immense amount of work which his Laboratory undertook.
Outbreaks of diphtheria have in recent years occurred in other parts of
London, and in some cases the illness has proved fatal. We escape
the tragedy of a child dying from this disease, but the lesson is plain.
Although diphtheria is now comparatively rare, owing in large measure
to the facilities for immunisation against the illness, it is important that
parents should not neglect to ensure that their children are immunised
and that reinforcing injections are given at appropriate intervals.
I have commented in previous years on the declining number of
cases of Tuberculosis, and this continued in 1961, when there were 63
cases of tuberculosis notified in Battersea as compared with 79 in 1960.
In addition, 47 other cases came to our notice, making a total of 110
cases in 1961, against 123 in the previous year. On the other hand.
in 1961 there was an increase in the number of deaths from this disease
to 13.
The figures for home accidents in 1961 do not show very marked
differences from previous years. I have not hitherto referred to deaths
from motor vehicle accidents, since this is not primarily a public heath
problem, but it is one that cannot be disregarded. In 1961, there were,
in fact, 19 deaths from motor vehicle accidents in the Borough. The
Battersea Road Safety Committee is active in co-ordination with the
various Organisations in the Borough which are concerned with road
accident prevention.
Nor have I in past years made any comment on the number of
deaths from suicide, of which, in 1961, there were 16, ten men and
six women, comprising 1.3% of all deaths in Battersea. This may not
at first sight, appear to be a very large proportion of the total deaths.
but the present is an opportune moment to comment on the situation.
Prior to the passing of the Suicide Act of 1961, attempted suicide was a
criminal offence, although the police rarely took proceedings, and them
only when this was necessary, to ensure that the person concerned
received appropriate medical treatment. This is the crux of the matter
for practically all cases of suicide are in some way suffering from mental
illness, and if treatment can be given to cases of potential suicide, or
those who have attempted suicide, then death in this tragic way might
be prevented. It is, therefore, proper to mention the Mental Health
Act of 1959, which came into operation in November, 1960. This Act
is not, at present, administered by the Borough Council, but by the
London County Council. It is an Act which gives legislative from to
present-day thinking about mental illness generally, and so far as Local
Health Authorities are concerned its main provisions are directed towards
the care, support and welfare of the mentally disordered in the