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done to ensure the early detection of this disease—the wide expansion
of tuberculosis dispensaries (chest clinics as they are now called) and
by the more recent introduction of mass radiography. Advances in
therapy, too, have seen a substantial decline in the number of deaths
from tuberculosis. Better standards of milk production and supervision
of slaughterhouses have given rise to a lower incidence in the number
of cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis. Prevention of the spread of
infection, however, in the case of pulmonary tuberculosis is still a major
problem of the present day. Overcrowding aggravated by difficulties
of rehousing, resulting mainly from the effects of two world wars, is
still very much the concern of our public health service. As shown elsewhere
in this Report progress is now being made year by year in the
improvement of housing conditions including the welcome resumption
of "clearance area" procedure; and vigorous action by the health
department to ensure the repair of an increasing number of unfit and
insanitary houses under the appropriate sections of the Public Health
or Housing Acts. Attention too has been given to the subject of
atmospheric pollution and its relation particularly to the toxic effects
of one of the severest fogs experienced in the Greater London area
during the month of December, 1952.
By comparison with the early days of Public Health the control of
the then more common infectious diseases continues to be satisfactory.
Diphtheria, scarlet fever and measles are no longer the killing diseases
they were, and no deaths occurred in Hornsey from any of these
diseases during the past year. To ensure the maintenance of such a
record for diphtheria, as in the case of smallpox, the public needs to be
constantly reminded of the necessity to take advantage for their children
of the methods of protection gained by immunisation and vaccination
respectively.
A striking comparison with conditions as they existed in the health
services of fifty years ago can be drawn in the now accepted responsibility
that local authorities have for the individual at the extremes of life.
Already mention has been made of the progress made in the care of
children; but no review of the health services today would be complete
without reference to a growing recognition of responsibility for the
special needs of an ageing population. Gone are the days of the poor
law system and of the association of old age with the workhouse.
Hospital, general medical practitioner, health and welfare committees
of the county council and the borough council all have statutory duties
in providing what may become a truly comprehensive service for the
welfare and care of aged people in need. In Hornsey, too, we are
fortunate in having much voluntary enterprise in this work. The
establishment of old people's homes, clubs and other activities many
of which are allied to a most active Old People's Welfare Committee
representing many aspects of local civic life.
In conclusion I should like to take this opportunity of acknowledging
my appreciation of the ready and willing help given to me by all my
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