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6
measles immunizations and of nearly two-thirds in the total of
rubella vaccinations performed was disappointing to say the
least since such marked reductions could not be attributed to a
schedule which hardly affected the timing of these particular
prophylactic procedures. An intensification of the campaign to
provide protection against these infections is clearly called for.
The poor response to rubella vaccination at school was under
close scrutiny at the end of the year in view of the importance
of girls being adequately protected in later life.
A high standard of environmental sanitation provides another
important bulwark against the spread of infection. Thanks to the
adequate protection of water supplies and the generally satisfactory
facilities for the disposal of sewage the importation of
two cases of cholera into England but fortunately not into the
Borough, in 1972 had no adverse repercussions. The manner in
which a large number of Asian immigrants from Uganda - some
of whom came to Wandsworth - were catered for in the latter part
of the year reflected extremely creditably upon the health and
welfare services. Environmental Health remains a prime
community activity and much was achieved in the Borough in 1972
in spite of increasing recruiting difficulties. Notwithstanding
staff shortages all complaints were promptly investigated and the
total number of visits paid by the public health inspectorate and
their supporting technical assistants ran into six figures, being
112,016 compared with 103,089 the previous year. The varied
activities are reflected in the statistics to be found in Part 3 of
the Report from which it will be noted that routine but none the
less desirable inspections of food premises and offices were
affected adversely by the lack of manpower. All sections of the
environmental health divisions were kept busy during the year,
special features of note including a marked increase in new
drainage applications; an appreciable rise in mice infestation;
more noise complaints (119 compared with 70 in 1971); the coming
into operation of two more smoke control orders and the making
of a sixth order to take effect in November 1973; and, last but
not least, the continued striking success of the campaign
against unsatisfactory living conditions in houses in multiple
occupation. Housing remains the major environmental health
problem — to which the figures in the text of the Report relating
to the medical assessment of priority claims for rehousing
testify only too eloquently - and this acquired a new facet in
1972 in the form of the accommodation to be provided for gipsies
in the Borough; no definite conclusion regarding a suitable site
had been reached by the end of the year.