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sonnei. This bacillus one might say is rampant throughout the
country and caused some 48,000 cases nationally in 1960. The
incidence appears to be gradually increasing. Fortunately it is a mild
infection as a rule, although the illness can be severe in infants and in
the aged. It tends to become epidemic in schools, hospitals, nurseries
or camps. Fortunately, in Finchley the cases were confined to family
groups, apart from a number of cases which occurred in an Old
People's Home. Its prevention is simple, i.e., the teaching of hand
washing in schools and an improvement in the general standard of
hygiene in the home.
Research
In connection with food poisoning, a survey of organic fertilisers
and animal feeding stuffs continues in collaboration with
the Public Health Laboratory Service, Colindale, and the Public
Health Department, Hendon. It has been found that samples of such
commodities have been shown to contain food poisoning bacilli. A
preliminary report has been prepared and it is expected that the final
report will be published during 1961.
Vaccination against Smallpox
The number of persons vaccinated for the first time by General
Practitioners and Medical Officers of the Local Health Authority
was six hundred and fifty-three.
Two hundred and eighty-seven were re-vaccinated.
International Certificates of Vaccination
Persons travelling to certain foreign parts have to provide themselves
with certificates of vaccination or inoculation which must have
been completed by their own medical practitioners before proceeding.
In several parts of the world certificates are not accepted unless they
are endorsed by a medical officer in the Government or local authority
of the country of issue. A form of authentication which has been
accepted by the health authorities abroad is that given by public
health authorities and identified by a rubber stamp impression placed
by them on the certificate. The rubber stamp in this office bears the
words "Finchley Corporation—Signature of doctor authenticated."
The purpose of the authentication is to provide proof to those health
authorities abroad who desire it that the signature of the person issuing
the certificate is that of a registered medical practitioner.
During the year 630 certificates were authenticated.
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