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The year was noteworthy, so far as infectious
diseases are concerned, for an outbreak of infantile paralysis,
or to give it its proper name, poliomyelitis. The disease
became general throughout the country and we were hampered in
our investigations, and also in any stops of prevention, by
the fact that wo were unaware of how the disease was spread or
how it arose. There were 26 cases all told in the Borough,
which was one of the lowest in London, in spite of the fact
that no special precautionary measures were taken. The chief
precautionary stop which I took was to have all contacts
visited daily and on the first occurrence of any illness
whatever such contacts were advised to remain at homo from
work and to call in a doctor. There were no deaths from this
disease.
STAFF: The department and its efficiency was severely hit
as a result of the loss of a number of Sanitary Inspectors
during the year and with the comings and goings of others.
At one time the Inspectorial staff of the department was
reduced to three district Inspectors. In several districts
work was commenced by an Inspector and his Notices served,
shortly after which ho left, thus rendering the Notices
valueless, the work having to be recommenced by another
Inspector. This happened in several districts on three
occasions, thus entailing very long delays in having any work
executed and complaints remedied. The Council found extreme
difficulty in replacing lost Sanitary Inspectors owing to the
general shortage of Inspectors, but chiefly, I think, owing
to housing difficulties in the Metropolis.
I am,
Sir, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Yours obediently,
W. STOTT.