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5
their private doctors, to resort to self-medication or who failed
to achieve that degree of functional efficiency which is the
essence of health ; but there is reason to believe that the
number was considerable.
Infectious disease was of low incidence with the exception
of scarlet fever which has lost much of its past virulence and
is not now regarded as a major scourge as it was 20 years ago.
For the third year in succession no case of diphtheria was
notified in the Borough. Four cases of paralytic poliomyelitis,
with one death, occurred as compared with no case in 1951.
The incidence of this disease is unpredictable but there is no
doubt that it will provide one of the main epidemiological
problems during the next few years.
The Clean Food Campaign made further progress during
the year although there is nothing spectacular to report. The
general public do not, perhaps, sufficiently recognise that
effective official action is only possible with their co-operation
and although lip-service is often paid to the need for cleaner
food production and handling, there is considerable public
apathy in regard to film shows, lectures and exhibitions. This
is, however, a long term project in health education and the
up-hill nature of the task does not make it in any way less
worthwhile. Reference should be made to the body of the
Report for details of food poisoning which occurred in the
Borough during the year.
During the year under review, the nuisance caused by
effluvia from the River Thames was not so marked as during
the previous year and reference is made on Page 39 to the
steps which are being taken by the Port of London Authority
and the London County Council both in regard to the
investigation of the basic causes of this nuisance and to the
best means of remedying it.
The Erith Old People's Welfare Committee continued to
do good work and in fact increased its scope and usefulness.
Funds have been collected from voluntary sources and arrangements
are already made to send 22 necessitous old people to
the seaside for a week's holiday free of all cost to them. The
work of the district liaison officers is strenuous and much good
work has been done in this field.
The prevention of accidents in the home is likely to receive
considerable attention in the forthcoming year and will come