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14
I personally feel that although better housing may have helped
in the control of infectious disease in general, it will only be by
vaccination that Small Pox will be eradicated. Although at the
present time the Smallpox that is occurring is of a mild variety,
there is no guarantee that a more serious type may not develop
at any time. An experience of this may be found in the Influenza
epidemic of 1918; just as the germ causing influenza took on an
increased virulence during that year and caused an enormous
mortality, so it is possible at any time that the Small Pox germ
may do likewise. Should this occur, the mortality in an unprotected
community like Enfield may be high, and this will be all the more
regrettable, inasmuch as that it was preventable.
Infectious Diseases and Schools.
Following a suggestion of the Local Government Board (now
Ministry of Health), an arrangement is in force between the Council
and Education Committee, under which the Head Teachers of the
various schools notify the Medical Officer of Health all absentees
suspected to be suffering from any infectious disease.
These absentees are then visited, and the cause of absence
ascertained.
By this means we have become aware of many slight cases of
infectious disease which would have otherwise escaped us, and in
addition got to know of oases in their earliest stages. We are
thus able to give the necessary instructions and take precautions
to prevent the spread of the disease.
DISINFECTION OF VERMINOUS PERSONS AND THEIR
BELONGINGS.
Three dwellings and 15 articles of clothing ,etc., were cleansed
and disinfected during the year at the request of the Education
Committee.
TUBERCULOSIS.
The following table shows the number of notifications of Pulmonary
and other forms of Tuberculosis received during the year:—