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Contacts were required to undergo treatment or to produce a
medical certificate that they were free from the disease. Written
notices were served upon four persons to present themselves for
medical examination.
Three persons, a mother and two daughters, failed to comply
with notices to submit to medical examination. A prosecution
was authorised and summonses were issued. The cases were heard
at the Barnet Police Court on the 18th March. The defendants
did not appear. After hearing the evidence the magistrate imposed
a fine of £2 on the mother with one guinea costs and a fine of £1 on
each of the two daughters. Mr. E. Parkes, Solicitor, prosecuted
for the Council.
It is perhaps regrettable that such a prosecution was found
necessary but it may be presumed to have a salutary effect on the
very small proportion of contacts and infected people who might
refuse to undergo treatment after having had the necessity pointed
out to them.
The treatment is short and efficient, it entails two visits to the
clinic and these have usually been arranged so as not to upset
normal school or working hours. All cases treated have been
followed up to make sure that the treatment has been successful.
Bedding and clothing from 188 houses were removed for steam
disinfection at the Isolation Hospital after patients had undergone
treatment for the disease.
The general health of the district remains good and free from
any serious epidemics. It is noticeable that, probably owing to the
pre-occupation of so many parents in war work, there has been a
slight decline in cleanliness particulary of children, caused by the
lack of time for complete parental supervision. Under war time
conditions it is all the more essential that cleanliness should be
enforced to the utmost if we wish to avoid epidemics.
But at the same time it must be recorded that the interest of
the population in general questions of health has quickened considerably
and that people will gladly avail themselves of any help
or suggestion towards the maintenance of better health.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
C. M. SCOTT, m.r.c.s,. (Eng.), l.r.c.p. (Lond.),
Medical Officer of Health to the Council and
A/ Assistant School Medical Officer.