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at the end of June, many contacts of the cases were found to reside
in Enfield. Twenty-seven families were involved and almost one
hundred members of these families were visited and vaccinated
immediately their risk of infection was known. Each person was
visited or inspected daily for sixteen days, and in spite of several
suspicious developments, no cases of smallpox occurred.
The procedure of prompt vaccination of all contacts and the
establishment of a "vaccination barrier" around all contacts, must
have played an important part in limiting the outbreak.
Reference should be made to the considerable progress made
in regard to vaccination against poliomyelitis by the end of the
year when 3,431 children had received two injections and 292 had
received one injection.
In conclusion, I should like to express my appreciation of the
staff of the Health Department and to refer especially to the retirement
on 31st December, 1957, after 50 years' service with the
Council, of Mr. S. Coulter, Chief Clerk, and after 47 years' service
with the Council, of Mr. H. Wiggett, Public Health Inspector.
Both Officers served the district conscientiously in their respective
spheres of activity during their long service.
William D. Hyde,
Medical Officer of Health.