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towards the end of the same year. This work will
continue in 1957, when it is anticipated that considerably
greater supplies of vaccine will be available. Reactions
reported following inoculations - and these were very
carefully scrutinised - were infinitesimal. No child
inoculated developed poliomyelitis, nor did any other
members of a family in which a child has been protected
by inoculation.
Although it is known that inoculation does provide
what can at least be described as a reasonable measure of
protection, it need scarcely be said that the general
measures designed to safeguard the population, both
infants, children and adults alike, must not be in any way
relaxed. I have taken the opportunity of providing
our schools with notes on simple safeguards which could
be put into force. In my dual capacity as Medical
Officer of Health for Friern Barnet and District School
Medical Officer, 1 have taken active steps to impress
upon everyone concerned the vital need for the washing
of children's hands after using the toilet. In this
I have received the utmost co-operation from Dr. Brettle,
Clerk to the Friern Barnet District Education SubCommittee,
co-operation which I gladly acknowledge.
The schools have also been most helpful.
Measles.
Eighty cases of measles were notified during the
year, as against 462 in 1955. As with scarlet fever,
severity was extremely mild, admission to hospital being
only required in two cases.
Pertussis(Whooping Cough).
Eighteen cases of pertussis were notified during
the year, as against 47 in 1955.
The fall in the incidence of this disease will
be shown when the figures relating to the past five years
are considered. These were 18,47,86,32 and 65 respectively.
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