View report page

18
Smallpox is still a common and highly virulent disease in the
Far East. The incubation period of 12 days allows ample time
for a patient to be infected while abroad—return by air—and not
show signs or symptoms until several days after arrival in this
country.
Although no cases occurred during the year, on two occasions
a number of people were kept under surveillance who had arrived
in Ealing after disembarking from ships from Bombay, in each of
which a confirmed case had occurred.
These people were visited daily by the Sanitary Inspectors
who ensured that all had been vaccinated and were in good health.
The value of vaccination has been abundantly proved but
for full protection a recent successful vaccination is essential.
Vaccination is performed free of charge by the General
Practitioners.
Primary vaccination in the first year of life is a safe and
simple procedure but in Ealing only one-third of infants were being
vaccinated. Re-vaccination produces little general upset or complications.
It is highly desirable that every infant should be vaccinated
not only to produce a high level of group immunity but also to
avoid " emergency " primary vaccination in adult life which may
be painful and temporarily disabling.
Whenever smallpox is introduced into Britain, there is a
public demand for vaccination, but this may not protect those unvaccinated
persons who first come in contact with the disease.
Hospital staff and laundry workers appear to be at special
risk and should be re-vaccinated regularly.
Tuberculosis.
The number of new cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis notified
was 210, which was extremely similar to the numbers notified since
1946, 209 and 205 respectively in 1950 and 1949.
The number of deaths, however, has fallen from 70 in 1949 to
48 in 1950 and to 30 in 1951. Notification of non-pulmonary
Tuberculosis has declined from 41 (6 deaths) in 1950 to 24 (4 deaths)
in 1951.
The recent order making the pasteurisation of milk compulsory
in urban districts will, I believe, further diminish the amount of
non-pulmonary Tuberculosis.