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we shall have a good chance of maintaining our comparative immunity to this
disease.
Prevention of Poliomyelitis
In London 77 per cent, of the child population from the age of 6 months to
14 years received either three injections or doses of polio vaccine. Only two notifications
were received for the whole of London.
The number of cases of poliomyelitis in England and Wales continued at a low
level, surely a vindication of the faith and perseverance of those concerned in the
protection of the more youthful members of our country over the past decade.
These reports have always stressed the danger of any relaxation of effort in
the prevention of tuberculosis, and precisely the same arguments apply to
poliomyelitis. Every effort should continue to be made to increase the percentage
of persons protected against this disease, with particular emphasis on children and
adolescents. Use of the newer oral type vaccine should facilitate this endeavour.
In Hammersmith 5,371 vaccinations against this disease were carried out by
the London County Council during 1964.
Prevention of Tuberculosis
B.C.G. vaccination is offered to all children in their 13th year, with the object
of providing artificial immunity during the adolescent period when young people
are most susceptible to this disease. A total of 1.065 Hammersmith children
received this vaccination this year.
Incidence of Infectious Diseases
Dysentery
124 cases of dysentery occurred during 1964 which is 76 more than last year,
99 of these cases occurred in the age group 2 to 15 years.
This increase of cases over the previous year was partly due to an outbreak of
sonne dysentery in two schools in the north of the Borough.
Early in June it was reported that several children were absent suffering from
diarrhoea. As a precautionary measure it was arranged that specimens would be
taken from all absentees and no child would be permitted to return to school until
two clear specimens were obtained.
The first batch submitted showed that some of the children were suffering from
sonne dysentery.
Absenteeism continued to increase and all patients found to be suffering from
the disease were referred to their family doctor for treatment and further
examination.
At one period of the outbreak 74 children were absent from one school with
28 positive cases, 37 were absent from the other school with 10 positive cases. The
positive cases included family contacts.
Food is prepared on the school premises and the kitchen was examined by
the District Public Health Inspector and found to be in a thoroughly clean and
hygienic condition. Specimens were taken from all kitchen staff but all were clear.
In consultation with the Deputy Divisional Medical Officer it was arranged
that in the school with the greater number of absentees a specimen would be taken
from every child in attendance.
The outbreak was controlled and the few remaining cases cleared during the
summer recess.