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from and leaving, so far as we are aware, no illeffects.
All cases of dysentery and food poisoning,
particularly Salmonellae typhimurium infections, are
carefully investigated. Where any cause is
discovered the matter is actively pursued, even when
the original took place somewhere outside the District.
6. No case of poliomyelitis was notified during
1961. As in the case of immunisation against
diphtheria, our programme of vaccination against
poliomyelitis is something of which I think we can be
justly proud, more than 86.5% of Friern Barnet children
under the age of 2 years having been protected against
poliomyelitis.
As will be known, we are now using the Sabin
vaccine, a method of oral vaccination which recently
superseded the giving of Salk vaccine by injection.
Sabin vaccine is administered by mouth, the method
of administration varying according to the age of the
person concerned. It need scarcely be said that
this method is proving extremely popular, as aftereffects
are virtually nil and the disadvantage of a
prick eliminated.
It is important to remember that several outbreaks
of poliomyelitis have recently occurred within
Great Britain, one at least being extensive. This
proves that the virus is still with us and requires
careful supervision.
As in previous years, we have co-operated with
the Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, in
obtaining specimens from children who have not been
in known contact with poliomyelitis, so that their
stools can be examined.
7. Thirteen cases of tuberculosis were notified
during 1961, as against 11 in 1960. Three of
these were from Friern Hospital.
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