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latter disease being, generally speaking, of low virulence.
There is more and more evidence that the great problem of
the future will be the control of the virus infections. Fortunately
there were no cases of poliomyelitis during the year
in the Urban District but it may now be regarded as an
annual visitant and is, in fact, endemic in this country. There
is, however, at the present time, a somewhat greater hope of
controlling this disease by immunisation although vaccination
against poliomyelitis is still very much in the experimental
stage. It may be some years yet before a vaccine can be produced
in such a reliable form that it can be depended upon
to produce resistance to the virus of this disease.
The welfare of old people continues to take up a
considerable amount of the time of the department. The
notification of an old person living alone, often in very bad
conditions, may present itself as an emergency requiring
immediate attention. It is often a serious problem to decide
what is the best action to be taken. Admission to hospital
sometimes provides a temporary respite to the difficulties of
the old person, but still leaves the problem of what is going
to happen when he or she is ready for discharge. A tribute
is due to those volunteers, from many sources, who are prepared
to clean up the home and receive the old person on
return from hospital. Recognition must also be given to the
Woolwich Group Hospital Management Committee who are
very co-operative in this matter. Often, however, in spite of
all the contra-indications it is in the interests of the old person
to be kept at home, however deplorable this may be and to
apply, to the fullest extent, the social remedies which are
available. In this connection, the Home Help Service is invaluable.
Many old people ask for no more than to be allowed
to keep their independence and their old homes and, whereever
possible, this must be respected. The work of the Old
People's Welfare Committee and the "good neighbours" of
whom there are so many, often makes it possible for this
solution to be applied.
I have many times reported to the Health Committee
that, although the death rate from tuberculosis has been
falling rapidly during recent years due to great improvement
in medical treatment, the notification rate has not shown a
similar reduction. This may be due, in part, to better means
of ascertainment, notably by means of Miniature Mass Radiography,
but I have from time to time, suggested that an
attack of the problem of tuberculosis from all possible angles,
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