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7
The Mass Miniature Radiography schemes and the excellent follow
up work of Chest Clinics undoubtedly are discovering more cases of
Pulmonary Tuberculosis than formerly, but the use of modern drug
therapy may be encouraging the formation of a pool of infection
with organisms resistant to many of the new anti-biotic drugs.
The extension of B.C.G. vaccination to some vulnerable groups being
organised by the County seems to me to be a valuable effort but it
will be some time before the results of the scheme can be assessed.
The whole subject is a highly technical one and there are many
epidemiological and immunological problems associated with
Tuberculosis which, as yet, are not clearly understood.
Poliomyelitis increased slightly but there was no apparent
relationship between the cases and no connection between immunisation
or trauma and the site of paralysis was established.
There was a drastic increase in Sonne Dysentery but the
measures taken to render all cases and carriers bacteriologically
negative undoubtedly kept the incidence within manageable proportions.
The thanks of the Department are due to the general
practitioners who co-operate with us and who supervise the treatment
of their patients and contacts.
At the beginning of the year deaths in the higher age groups
from respiratory and circulatory disturbances increased and were
almost certainly a legacy from the fog period of the previous
December which was studied in some detail in last year's report.
Old people continue to receive much advice and help from the
Department. At short notice a holiday scheme was arranged by
the Council and many old people enjoyed a week at the seaside in
the late summer. With the formation of an Old Peoples' Welfare
Association more ambitious schemes are planned for next year and
the Council may be able to make available a larger sum for an
expansion of the services. Once again the Geriatric Unit at St.
Alfege's Hospital satisfied the many formidable demands made on
it by us and the local institutions helped to place many old persons
living in difficult and distressing circumstances.
The repair of old and worn out premises continued to occupy
the attentions of the Sanitary Inspectors. The main efforts have
been directed to minimising the hardships occasioned to tenants
living in sub-standard properties who may have to wait for considerable
periods before they can be rehoused. Nevertheless, in
some areas it has been possible for the Sanitary Inspectors to persuade
and encourage Agents and Owners to renovate much of their