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persuaded of the noxious consequences of a habit which has little
to commend it. There has been a surprising increase in deaths from
pneumonia. This may be a coincidence and the trend will have to be
watched over a period of years. Undoubtedly, however, the indiscriminate
and irresponsible use of antibiotics could lead to resistant
strains of organisms of high virulence causing great damage to a
susceptible population.
On the question of infectious diseases notification, there has been
an overall decrease of 1,390, largely due to the biennual fluctuation
of measles incidence, but I would note in passing a slight increase in
the notification of tuberculosis. This reverses the trend for the first
time for many years. Two cases of paratyphoid, both non-residents,
were notified from hospital and the one typhoid case notified was an
Indian child whose father was found to be a carrier. Dysentery and
food poisoning showed increases, but at this stage are not considered
to be of community significance. The outbreaks were sporadic and
well controlled.
It is the aim of the Council to have the whole Borough covered by
smoke control orders by 1970 and further progress towards this end
was achieved. Our various atmospheric pollution measuring stations,
strategically placed throughout the Borough, clearly show a reduction
in the smoke content of the atmosphere.
Slum clearance has also proceeded and individual unfit houses
have been closed in considerable numbers. In this connection tribute
should be paid to the Housing Committee, which has had the difficult
job of rehousing tenants displaced from sub-standard property.
This is in addition to the obligation which it has faced in respect of
the needs of homeless families.
The personal health services also made some progress despite the
loss of several health visitors who have not been replaced. The
number of student health visitors under training will not cover our
losses and the position is serious. This shortage of health visitors has
hampered our plans for attachments to family doctor group practices,
although we hope that in Abbey Wood, Plumstead and Blackheath
it may be possible next year to attach health visitors and home
nurses to selected practices.
Premises are being adapted at Shooters Hill Road for a group
practice to be housed alongside domiciliary midwifery, home nursing
and home help offices, a school dental surgery, a chiropody surgery,
the central stores and a clinic with a full range of personal health
services. This unit, which will be in all but name a health centre,
will be in operation next year.
Since 1965 the home help service has been extended by about
30% and although all reasonable demands can be met, there is no