View report page

III
There were no cases of diphtheria during the year and only 40
of whooping cough. Three cases of poliomyelitis occurred, one being
paralytic. Vaccination and immunisation is available against these
three diseases as well as against tetanus and smallpox, and the
incidence of these diseases will only remain at alow level as long
as parents ensure that their children receive these injections, or
as in the case of poliomyelitis, receive the vaccine by mouth. In
regard to diphtheria and poliomyelitis it is particularly important
that the immunity of children should be reinforced by a booster dose
as recommended. A report presented recently to the Health Committee
of the London County Council by Dr. J.A. Scott, the Medical Officer
of Health of that authority shows that the incidence of Poliomyelitis
in unvaccinated children under fourteen years of age was eighteen
times that of the vaccinated.
An employee in premises in which the business of a tanner of
hides is conducted was admitted to hospital during the first quarter
of the year suffering from anthrax. The employee who did not reside
in Southwark made a good recovery. The Factory Inspectorate reported
conditions at the premises to be satisfactory.
Health Education
Health Education becomes an ever more important function of
the Public Health Department. As intimated in my report last year
a fundamental field for health education is now presented by the
necessity to persuade not only parents but the general public to
take advantage of the facilities which are now provided by the
National Health Service, and in particular of those services which
have been referred to in the previous paragraph and which are provided
by the local health authority.
Immunology, with the introduction of new and more efficient
agents has become a subject of specialised study. A programme of
inoculations has been carefully drawn up so that the recipient
gains the greatest possible immunity from them, and parents should
be guided by the official advice on this subject which they receive
from time to time.
During the year, this Department collaborated with the London
County Council in displaying posters and issuing leaflets thus
supplementing the work carried out in homes and schools by the Health
Visitors and School Nurses. A great deal of attention was given by
the Public Health Inspectors to the subject of alimentary infections
such as Dysentery, F ood Poisoning, non-specific gastro-enteritis
and so on, and constant stress was laid on the importance of food
hygiene, during their visits to catering establishments, as well
as to private households. In these efforts advantage was taken of
the media provided by the Central Council for Health Education and
the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.