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6
disease, and we had an increased number of requests from local general
practitioners to see patients who it was thought might have smallpox.
In addition the increased number of vaccinations which were performed
at this time were associated with a number of unusual skin eruptions
In some of the more puzzling and difficult cases, we in turn called
Dr. McEntee, the Infectious Disease Consultant of St. George's Hospital,
Tooting, and I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my
thanks and appreciation to Dr. McEntee for the willing help he afforded
us at this time. In addition to requests to see doubtful cases, it was
necessary to keep under daily surveillance persons who had been in
contact with one of the known cases of smallpox and we were also
notified by the Ministry of Health of travellers arriving from Pakistan
who were staying in Battersea. In all 37 contacts were followed up and
kept under surveillance, the closest contact being a taxi-driver who took
a passenger, who subsequently developed smallpox, from London to the
Midlands.
Another problem in connection with smallpox, although not one
directly for the Council, was the large number of requests for vaccination
which were received. There was never any reason to advise mass
vaccination of the population of Battersea; in fact we did all we could
to restrain the demand for vaccination except, of course, where it was
necessary on public health grounds. A proportion of the population,
however, was insistent in demanding vaccination either by their private
doctors or by the Public Health Department and it was felt that this
demand should be met. Accordingly, arrangements were made through
the London County Council for extending public facilities for vaccination.
During this period approximately 11,000 people were vaccinated. In the
event it appears that we struck a happy medium in our vaccination policy.
By discouraging vaccination, except when it was necessary on public
health grounds, the situation never got out of hand, while at the same time
public morale was sustained in that anyone who felt that he should be
vaccinated was vaccinated. The General Practitioners in the area were
particularly helpful in arranging vaccinations for those of their own
patients who sought their advice.
It is interesting, in passing, to note the increased number of requests
for the authentication of International Certificates of Vaccination which
we received from the public. These Certificates are necessary for the
purpose of foreign travel to certain countries and during the smallpox
scare, it was thought that these Certificates might be required for travel
on the Continent, although this is normally not the case. Instead of our
"normal" number of International Certificates, which average between
400 and 450, we did in fact authenticate 2,789. One wonders whether
the demand for vaccination in the early months of 1962 was as much to
cover entry to the Continent as the desire to be protected against the
illness.
Full details of the work of the Public Health Inspectors will be
found in tables in the report. Unfortunately, I cannot report any improvement
in the staffing situation which remains as difficult as in previous
years. This remains a matter for concern, particularly with the prospect
of new legislation coming within the province of the Health Department
and the Public Health Inspectors. For instance, the Housing Act of 1961
gave new powers to the local authorities to deal with conditions in
houses let in lodgings or in multiple occupation. Little could be done
until the Regulations made under the Act were introduced. The