View report page

by the instrument of vaccination, although the possibility of an epidemic
is always present, so that the greatest vigilance is necessary at all
times. The last great epidemic of diphtheria occurred in the early 1930s
and was thought to be due, largely, to an increase in the virulence of
the diphtheria organism. The introduction of mass immunisation in the
middle of the 1930s together with great improvements in environmental
and personal hygiene have, practically, abolished this disease, although
small outbreaks of virulent type do occur from time to time in different
areas. The need to keep the level of immunisation of children at a
high level has often been stressed. It is, of course, possible that
any deterioration in environmental conditions resulting, for example,
from war conditions or other calamity might bring all or any of these
diseases back in an enhanced form.
Nowadays the main hazard is due to the virus diseases, of which
poliomyelitis is the best known example. There are reasonable grounds,
however, for optimism that the mass immunisation of the young population
may, before long, in some way alter the relationship between the virus
and the human organism, but it is too early, yet, to say whether one
can look forward with confidence to the early abolition of this disease.
The antibiotics and chemo-therapeutic drugs have shorn measles of most
of its terrors due, largely, to preventing the serious complications
such as broncho-pneumonia, which was the main cause of death in years
gone by.
Much discussion is taking place at the present time as to whether
the present system of notification of infectious diseases, which is
founded, largely, on experience gained during the last half-century,
does not need to be drastically overhauled. The notification of measles,
which came into operation in 1940 when environmental conditions were
seriously affected by the war, is regarded by many as being unnecessary
at the present time in view of the fact that little, if any, action is
taken following the receipt of notifications by general practitioners.
The cost of this notification is quite considerable and there is no
commensurate return from the health point of view. Scarlet fever is
another disease the notification of which could, perhaps, temporarily be
discontinued. It is hoped that in the future the whole position of
notification of infectious disease will be rationalised in the light of
present day needs.
During the year poliomyelitis vaccination was vigorously carried
out by the Local Health Authority and details of the numbers vaccinated
are given on page 17 .
During 1958. the Council decided, in principle, to implement the
provisions of Section 11 of the Clean Air Act, 1956 relating to smoke
control areas and a pilot survey was carried out with a view to obtaining
reliable information as to the cost of replacing unsuitable appliances and
adapting others to make them capable of burning smokeless fuels.
3.