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paralysis but the third case was severely affected in both legs and
trunk. While not satistically significant, it is interesting to note that
this latter case was the only one which had not had at least one
vaccination against poliomyelitis.
Last year only two persons died from tuberculosis, equalling
1958, the lowest number of deaths ever recorded. Twenty-six new
cases were notified as against 29 cases during 1958, the majority of
these cases, as expected, occurring in elderly persons.
Finally, a word of appreciation to Dr. Emond, Superintendent
of Coppetts Wood Infectious Diseases Hospital. His weekly ward
round keeps mc in touch with the majority of cases of infectious
disease which require hospital treatment in the Borough, and indeed
with the variety of medical conditions which are sent to fever hospitals.
GENERAL:
Care of the Elderly:
In my Report last year, I commented upon the increasing number
of elderly in the Borough. The most accurate statistics available to
me suggest that the number of elderly in the Borough has doubled
in the last 25 years. While this problem is well to the fore in the
eyes of the Council, and the statutory and voluntary welfare bodies,
it is somewhat alarming to note that the number of hospital beds
provided by the Regional Hospital Board for the Catchment Area
of which Finchley is a part is lower than the average of beds provided
in other hospital regions. It is to be hoped that this situation will
be remedied. While the economic burden of the aged in the community
may not as yet have reachcd a significant level, there is always
the immediate danger of the overloading of the present medical
facilities through increasing invalidism, or more important, epidemic
illness.
CONCLUSION :
Since taking up my appointment last year, I have endeavoured
to meet and make myself known to all working in the field of public
health, personal health services, the voluntary and welfare services
and the hospital services, and to make known and place at the disposal
of these workers any help which this Department can give. The fact
that it has become somewhat of a tradition that the Medical Officer
of Health also undertakes the Honorary Secretaryship of the Finchley
Division of the British Medical Association plays no little part in
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