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5
possibly some element of luck), no further cases occurred in the
community, although the mother of the patient was later diagnosed
in hospital as suffering from a rare form of smallpox and the father
was also thought possibly to have been a very mild case. I would
like to take the opportunity of thanking all my colleagues in the
Health Department who were engaged with me in handling this
incident for their readiness to work at all hours and for long
periods in containing the infection. We also received considerable
help from Consultants and other experts in other branches of the
Health Services. The Consultant Physician at St. George's Hospital
and his staff, the Director of the Public Health Laboratory at the
Hospital, the Consultant Physician at the Smallpox Hospital and
the Virologists at the Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, together
with medical officers of the Ministry of Health, were extremely
helpful and I would express my appreciation to them for their
assistance.
The rationalization of the Chiropody Service which was put in
train towards the end of 1966 proceeded further in 1967 and the
decision to appoint a Chief Chiropodist will give an added impetus
to a service which is of particular value to old people.
The interesting and pioneering experiment by which flatlets are
attached to our Mental Health Hostel continued in 1967 and
although it is a little early to say exactly how this new idea will
finally develop, at the time of writing I can say that it shows every
indication of being a success. More time, however, will be necessary
before a final appraisal of this idea can be made.
While on the subject of mental health, I should mention the interesting
symposium which was held during the year. Invitations
were sent to hospitals, some voluntary associations and some individuals
who were concerned with mental health services in Wandsworth
to meet for discussion and exchange of views upon the
mental health services in the Borough. A very encouraging and
satisfying number of acceptances was received and a buffet lunch
was provided, after which the Chairman of the Health Committee
welcomed the visitors and then handed over to me to take the
Chair at the formal session.
The proceedings were opened by short papers from the Deputy
Medical Officer of Health. Principal Mental Welfare Officer, a
psychiatrist and a general practitioner, after which there was a
general discussion on a variety of problems. The purpose of the
symposium was to bring together representatives of those who were
concerned with the Mental Health Service in Wandsworth, and an
interesting, and at times stimulating and often controversial exchange
of views, followed. For our part, we were able to note the
feelings and opinions of our colleagues in other sections of the
Health Services and this provided us with a good deal of information
which will be useful to us in planning services in the future.