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East Barnet Urban District Council
EIGHTY-NINTH
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR THE YEAR 1962
To the Chairman and Members of the
East Barnet Urban District Council
I have the honour to present my report for the year 1962.
The total number of infectious diseases notified during the year
was small due almost entirely to the fall in the number of cases of
Measles. Last year was a "Measles Year" and it also included a
Sonne Dysentery outbreak. New school outbreaks are a constant
"control" problem, they do, however, present the opportunity to
enforce more rigorous personal hygiene measures which must in the
long run be of considerable help in checking the spread of infection.
It is not, unfortunately, appreciated that diarrhoea in children lasting
more than 24 hours should always lead to a suspicion of Sonne
Dysentery or some other infection.
The Department has co-operated fully with the Housing Department
not only in the assessment of mcdical grounds in housing
applications but also in a further complete check of the housing list.
This has, I believe, resulted in a more realistic view of the actual
housing needs in the District. Although it is entirely true to say that
the bulk of the more serious cases have now been re-housed, one hears
of many people still living in inadequate housing and where needs cannot
yet be satisfied. Particularly perhaps it is fair to say that the
number of elderly single people needing housing assistance steadily
increases. If proof were needed the list of approved applicants for
Vale Court should suffice.
The other main category covers the young married couples who
have in many cases to wait an inordinately long time before being able
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