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Once again I had notified to me a number of cases of poliomyelitis,
11 in all, 7 of which were paralytic. The occurrence of this distressing
disease year by year has caused me great concern and I have devoted
much attention to a study of its epidemiology. So far the complete
aetiology of) this disease has eluded research workers although we are
now aware of some factors associated with its causation. There is some
hope that the use of gamma globulin (a fraction of the blood serum) can
modify an attack, but its practical application has not been possible.
Experiments are proceeding in the use of a vaccine and the outlook for
the prevention of poliomyelitis shows at least some hopeful elements.
The notifications of Tuberculosis were no less than in 1951, but the
number of deaths is 19 compared with 29 last year. It is pleasant therefore
to record a lower death rate, an absence of maternal mortality, an
increase in the birth rate, and a decrease in the number of persons dying
from tuberculosis, figures that indicate a general improvement in certain
respects in the health of the residents of the Borough.
In recent years it has become apparent that there are a large number
of persons of retirement age resident in the Borough of Hampstead, who
need care and attention over and above that provided under statutory
powers. I have therefore thought it wise in the pages of this report to
indicate various statutory and voluntary agencies which are combining
to meet some of the needs of the aged. Whilst the total amount of help
available is impressive it is unfortunate that the Public Health Department
is still called in to help a number of old people who are suffering
from neglect in some form or another, and I am hoping within a short
period to submit a comprehensive report on this matter.
During the past few years much attention has been drawn to the
number of accidents, many of them fatal, which are occurring in our
factories, in our streets and in our homes, for it is generally acknowledged
that many of these accidents are avoidable. With this in mind,
I asked Dr. M. D. Warren, the Deputy Medical Officer of Health to
enquire in so far as might be possible, into the accidents which occurred
or were treated in the Borough during the year, and his report will be
found at the end of this annual survey.
Accidents are far too readily accepted as being occurrences outside
the control of man, or acts of chance or fate that cannot be avoided.
At other times they are even praised as proof of the adventurous character
of the individual who is involved in the accident. The study of
the available information however, shows that a large proporton of
accidents occurs amongst those who are infirm or unsteady either because
of extreme youth or old age, when the spirit of adventure has hardly
begun, or has indeed faded out.
A study of Dr. Warren's research entitles us to ask what steps we
should take in preventing accidents. In the first place, householders
must be informed of the dangers of faulty equipment, uneven flooring,
insufficient lighting and the inadequate insulation so often found in unskilled
installation of electric lighting and make shift repairs in the house.
Parents must be warned against exposing young children to dangers such
as kettles and saucepans of boiling water, unprotected fires and sharp
instruments. Medicines must be carefully labelled and kept in the