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4
Food hygiene
The notified cases of food poisoning during the year amounted
to 26, but in addition a number of minor cases came to our notice as
a result of other enquiries. Throughout the year the food inspectors
continued to give advice to occupiers of food shops with regard to
general hygiene, and particularly in relation to the avoidance of flies
and other pests. It is likely that this form of education is more effective
when spread over the year in the form of oft-repeated advice than it
would be if it were concentrated into a few days or a week such as
may happen in a special clean food campaign.
Infectious diseases
With regard to the more acute infections the year was remarkable
for the high number of measles cases, no less than 3,546 being notified ;
these were mostly concentrated into the first three months of the year.
Two deaths resulted. There was a considerable increase in the number
of dysentery notifications — 365 as against 63. This however at
present is a mild disease and it is likely that many other cases occur
which because of their mildness are not notified. There were 173 cases
of pneumonia against 108 the year before and these occurred mainly
at the beginning of the year when there was a small influenza epidemic.
Puerperal pyrexia was another notifiable condition which showed a
considerable increase, there being 63 cases against 29 the year before,
but the difference can in part be ascribed to an alteration in the
definition of the disease, as a result of which more cases fall to be
notified. Whooping cough was prevalent, as it also was the previous
year, and one death resulted therefrom.
For the second year in succession there was no case of diphtheria
notified and subsequently confirmed in the borough, but in point of fact
this rather emphasizes the necessity for the protection of young children
against the disease by immunisation. Not all areas of the country are
free from infection and unless the child population remains well
immunised there is always a danger, and a very real danger, of virulent
diphtheria becoming again prevalent. When it is remembered that some
25 years ago there was an average number of 20 deaths from diphtheria
each year in Lewisham and something over 250 cases (each of which
meant pain and discomfort to the patient, anxiety to relatives, and
much work and cost to the hospital services) it will be appreciated
how well the immunisation campaign has succeeded. It is thought
that, in order to safeguard the community against a diphtheria epidemic,
it is necessary to secure that not less than 75 percent of babies are
immunised before their first birthday. But the wise parent will not run
the risk of merely sheltering behind the 75 percent; he will insist
on his own child being protected as an individual.
Old people
During the year one further club helping old people in the borough
applied for and qualified for grant, and a grant was made. This club,
besides running an afternoon session, arranges for lunch facilities on