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This year the report shows from notifications, the monthly incidence
of infectious diseases and their relative frequency in Beckenham. There
were no deaths from these diseases to report during the year.
It is of interest that 30 out of 84 cases of Scarlet Fever were
admitted to hospital while in the case of measles the figure is 10 cases out
of 1,108.
The number of cases of food poisoning notified is not unduly high
and is half that of another intestinal complaint—bacillary dysentery.
Two of three cases of infantile paralysis are of school age ; all are
of the paralytic type and are receiving hospital treatment.
There are no serious epidemics to report but the incidence of
measles and chickenpox is rather higher than usual.
Notifications of new cases of Tuberculosis show a reduction of 12
during the year. For a population of 74,880 the notification of 68 new
cases of tuberculosis must be considered very low and this is confirmed
by the results of a mass radiography survey undertaken by the South
Eastern Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board. The first Beckenham
survey was undertaken in 1948 and this "pilot survey" lasting two
weeks was followed in the autumn of 1950 by a more comprehensive
survey conducted by a mobile unit operating in central Beckenham over
a period of two weeks. In September a survey was carried out in West
Wickham over a period of four days when 1,031 persons attended
compared with 4,856 persons in 1950 for Central Beckenham. At the
same time, it must be recorded that weather conditions were most
unfavourable in 1950. The results of the three surveys were excellent.
During the year the Department dealt with enquiries covering a
wide variety of matters. By some, information was sought on nursing
recruitment and employment; by others on accommodation in old
people's homes in this area and in other parts of the country; yet by
others on risks of infection; and throughout the year enquiries on
nuisances are received and dealt with.
The Health Department as a Health Centre of Information, situated
as it is in the municipal centre, closely linked with other civic departments,
fulfills a traditional role which yearly becomes more important with the
increase in complexity of modern legislation and social and health
services.
I wish to express my sincere thanks for their friendly co-operation
to Dr. Ward of the County staff and to Dr. Elliott the County Medical
Officer of Health : to you Mr. Chairman and members of your
Committee I offer my appreciation for your friendly welcome and
encouragement, and to the members of my staff—my thanks for the
enthusiasm, zeal and happy esprit-de-corps that prevails through the
department.
L. R. L. EDWARDS,
Medical Officer of Health.
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