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Public swimming baths were not closed but measures were
taken to ensure adequate chlorination of the baths and avoidance
of over-crowding above restricted maximum numbers. Public
bathing pools were drained and left dry as it was difficult to
control these in the public parks. No steps were taken to restrict
the seating or showing of films at cinemas. The local press cooperated
well in the campaign and published prepared accounts of
the outbreak as it affected local areas from time to time, drawing
attention to the general preventive measures. By arrangement
with the West Middlesex branch of the British Medical Association,
two clinical demonstrations were given at the Clayponds Isolation
Hospital and the Town Hall on the 2nd September, followed by
the Ministry of Health film on the diagnosis of poliomyelitis.
Invitations were sent to practitioners in Ealing, Acton, Brentford
and Chiswick and also to the nursing staff of the Health Department.
Both meetings were well attended.
It was considered advisable to suspend all nose and throat
operations and multiple dental extractions from the first week in
August in view of the rising number of notifications received and
this remained in force until the end of the year.
The general practitioners, the public, press and employers
co-operated very well in carrying out these preventive measures
and it was noticeable that the press accounts of the outbreak as
it affected local districts did much to allay public alarm and
emphasise simple practical preventive measures.
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNIZATION.
The introduction of facilities for combined protection against
diphtheria and whooping cough make this an appropriate occasion
to review what has been achieved in regard to immunization
against diphtheria alone.
Immunization against diphtheria was first carried out in the
Health Centres in 1935. For a few years the number of children
protected was small. In 1941 and 1942, as a result of a national
advertising campaign, large numbers of children were immunised
and since then very active steps have been taken to encourage
the mothers to have their children protected. Particular attention
is devoted by the health visitors to securing the immunization of
the very young children, thus protecting them when they are
most vulnerable to infection.
The following table shows the number of children immunized
each year from 1935 (including those known to have been dealt
with by private practitioners), the number of notified cases of
diphtheria and the number of deaths.