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concerned. The figures for 1954 will have to be watched
rather carefully. Of the 22 infantile deaths in the Borough,
at least 7 were due to causes which were, probably, preventable,
namely pneumonia due to various causes, but it is not wise
to be too dogmatic in this matter when there are so many
unknown factors.
Infectious diseases when judged by the standards of 25
years ago, were very low. Measles headed the list with 381
cases, whooping cough followed with 167, scarlet fever with
111, the latter disease being generally speaking of low virulence.
There is more and more evidence that the great problem of
the future will be the control of the virus infections. There
were, for instance, 2 paralytic and 3 non-paralytic cases of
poliomyelitis which is now, unfortunately, an annual visitant
and may, in fact, be regarded as endemic in this country.
There is, however, at the present time, a somewhat greater
hope of controlling this disease by immunisation although
vaccination against poliomyelitis is still very much in the
experimental stage. It may be some years yet before a vaccine
can be produced in a sufficiently reliable form to produce the
necessary resistance to the virus of this disease.
The welfare of old people continues to take up a considerable
amount of the time of the department. The notification
of an old person living alone, often in very bad conditions, may
be an emergency requiring immediate attention. It is often a
serious problem to decide which is the best action to be taken.
Admission to hospital sometimes provides a temporary
respite to the difficulties of old persons but still leaves the
problem of what is going to happen when they are ready for
discharge. A tribute is due to those volunteers from many
sources who are prepared to clean up the home and receive
the old person on return from hospital. Recognition must
also be given to the Woolwich Group Hospital Management
Committee who are very co-operative in this matter. Often,
however, in spite of all the contra-indications it is in the
interests of the old person to be kept at home, however
deplorable this may be and to apply to the fullest extent the
social remedies which are available. In this connection the
Home Help Service is invaluable. Many old people ask for
no more than to be allowed to keep their independence and
their old homes and, wherever possible, this must be respected.
The work of the Old Peoples' Welfare Committee and the
"good neighbours " of whom there are so many, often make
it possible for this solution to be applied.