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6
The most striking figures in connection with infectious diseases
are those concerned with Diphtheria, where both the case and death
rates have been reduced from a high steady level to a very low
level during the last few years. Although Diphtheria immunisation
was started in Enfield in 1934 it was not until the early years
of the last war that an intensive country-wide effort was made to
have the child population immunised and it is coincidental with
that effort that the marked reduction in cases and deaths from
Diphtheria has occurred.
A glance through the Annual Reports of the Medical Officers
of Health since the beginning of the century shows some interesting
features, which are worthy of mentioning in passing as they
throw some light on the progress made and the difficulties met and
overcome throughout these years.
In 1911 the Medical Officer of Health was perturbed at the
diminishing birth rate in Enfield, although at that time the figure
was 23.14 per 1,000 as compared with today's figure of 21.42. In
1907 the Notification of Births Act, 1907, was passed and the
Medical Officer of Health's Annual Report for 1913 makes a strong
plea for its adoption and for the appointment of a Health Visitor.
In 1914 the Medical Officer of Health reported on a memorandum
issued by the Local Government Board on the subject of
Maternity and Child Welfare and he again recommended the
adoption of a full service in Enfield. On the passing of the Notification
of Births (Extension) Act in 1915, the Medical Officer of
Health made a further detailed report on the provision of a
Maternity and Child Welfare Service. This was approved by the
Council and in 1916 the first Health Visitor was appointed, and
Clinic Services provided in four centres in the district.
In 1918, the Medical Officer of Health refers to an arrangement
with the Edmonton Board of Guardians for the admission of
Maternity Cases and the benefits to many mothers in view of the
shortage of housing accommodation.
In 1933, an important arrangement was inaugurated whereby
regular and frequent routine medical inspections by appointment
were offered to children under the age of 5 years. The following
year arrangements were made for the services of a Consultant
Obstetric Unit from the North Middlesex Hospital to be available
to assist any general practitioner who required this help. A Home
Help scheme was inaugurated and the free issue to mothers of
that useful publication "To Mothers and Fathers " was commenced.