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injection has been given, and, therefore, is useless to control an
epidemic; it can, however, prevent it. Those who desire immunity
should seek it now, and not wait for an epidemic to visit Enfield.
During the year I became aware of many cases of Whooping
Cough, Chicken Pox, Measles and Mumps through exclusions from
School on account of these diseases. The number, however, was
neither large nor the cases of great severity.
During the course of the Summer months I kept under supervision
the condition of the water at the Enfield Lock Baths and the
Enfield Swimming Pool. The water from both Baths was analysed
regularly once a month, whilst I carried out weekly tests, and the
Baths Superintendents, daily tests.
In my opinion, at no time was the Bath water at either place
other than safe for bathing purposes. The bacteriological count
was always low and no disease-bearing organisms were isolated.
This result was obtained by adding disinfectant to the water in an
amount which is usually considered undesirable. No harmful
effects were reported, however, to me, nor did I receive complaints
at any time. On the other hand, the aim at a Swimming Pool
should be to maintain the water in such a condition that it conforms
to the standard for drinking water, and is, in fact, fit for drinking.
The turn-over period at the Enfield Swimming Pool is being increased
from a twelve-hour turn-over to a four-hour turn-over,
and I sincerely hope and trust that during 1935 I shall be able to
state that the water of our Swimming Pool is fit to drink.
Swimming Pools have arisen in large numbers throughout the
country, and as a result Medical Officers have had to revise their
ideas as to what standards of purity are required and what tests
are of the greatest importance.
To my mind, the water should always be crystal clear, free
from vegetable growth of any description, sparkling, odourless and
absolutely free from germs, whilst it should contain the minimum
possible quantity of disinfectant.
In addition to this, it is usual to take into consideration the
amount of chlorides, nitrites and ammonia compounds present.
I think that too much importance can be placed on these
chemical results. Nearly all these compounds increase during the
course of the season; provided that the water is clear, sterile and
odourless, I do not think their presence can be considered of great
importance.