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Research is not always accepted as a function of a public health
department. Much can be done almost incidentally to our day to day
work however. What might otherwise be somewhat routine duties
assume further interest and, equally important, modest contributions
can be made to our scientific knowledge. I would particularly draw
to your notice the work on combined immunization which was undertaken
largely by Dr. Spiller with the aid of Dr. Holt of the Wright
Fleming Institute. A report of this has since been published in the
"British Medical Journal". An outbreak of infectious hepatitis and
our "routine" efforts at control provided an opportunity to investigate
the value of gamma-globulin, this time with help from Dr. McDonald
of the Medical Research Council.
Dr. Adamson's investigations into the common but much neglected
problems of athlete's foot and plantar warts, though yet in their early
stages, and the comparisons of the Heaf and Mantoux tuberculin skin
tests undertaken by Drs. Martin and Seligmann in connection with
B.C.G. vaccination, are further examples of useful investigations which
can be conducted as an integral part of day to day duties.
I have left Barking with happy memories, many regrets and some
feeling of guilt for causing a further change so soon which must be
somewhat unsettling for many members of the staff. My thanks go to
them for their loyalty and for all the hard work put in during the
year. In particular the health visitors and certain of the office staff
have willingly carried the extra burden caused by the immunization
and gamma-globulin enquiries.
I also wish to acknowledge the considerable personal assistance
from the Borough Education Officer and the Head Teachers, the other
Chief Officers and the County Medical Officer, Dr. G. G. Stewart.
Finally, may I thank the Members of the Council and in particular
the Chairman of the Public Health Committee, Alderman Mrs. J.
Engwell, for their support during my brief tenure of office.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
Medical Officer of Health.
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