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It may be that the unjustified publicity given to any case of
poliomyelitis is one of the reasons for the slight decline in the
percentage accepting diphtheria and whooping cough immunisation
and vaccination. If so, it can be stated quite categorically
that the risks of immunisation provoking paralytic poliomyelitis
are very slight indeed given the precautions now taken as a routine.
Primary immunisation was continued steadily throughout 1955,
the only exception being a break of one month at one Infant
Welfare Centre, without any untoward sequelae. The introduction
of two new forms of vaccination and the absence of diphtheria
from the District for nine consecutive years must not distract
attention from the desirability of maintaining these earlier forms
of immunisation.
From the point of view of the improvement of the sanitation
of the District, the most publicised activities have been those
aimed at the removal of the cause of the periodical flooding at
Purley Corner. While the hope that these will bear fruit in the
not very distant future is warmly welcomed, of at least as much
importance are the unspectacular but continued maintenance of
satisfactory water supplies to the District, the Council's policy of
steadily extending the sewerage system and abolishing local cesspools,
the improving hygiene in food handling combined with the
corrective effect of vigilance in applying the Food and Drugs Acts,
the removal of any unsound food, etc. The beneficial effects of
these and other measures will be noted later in the report.
Much good work was again done by the Sanitary Inspectors
with a view to improving sub-standard housing and securing the
removal of the relatively small number of houses which have already
become unfit for human habitation. The Chief Sanitary
Inspector has reported in the section on Housing how unrewarding
much of his preventive work is, partly owing to weaknesses in the
present legislation, but even so some progress is recorded.
From this brief summary of the year's activities and assessment
of the state of the Public Health it will be seen that there are
some grounds for satisfaction and hope that, if all concerned continue
to play their part, including primarily, of course, the residents
themselves, we can anticipate still better achievements.
May I, in conclusion, again express my thanks to all associated
with the local Health and Social Services, both official and voluntary,
for their co-operation during the year, and in particular I
would mention the contributions of the Chief Sanitary Inspector
and my Administrative Assistant, not only towards the production
of this report, but for their loyal help at all times.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
F. R. EDBROOKE,
Medical Officer of Health.
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