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MEDICAL OFFICER'S ANNUAL REPORT
Tel: HAYes 1901 Public Health Department,
Springfield House,
Hayes End Road,
Hayes, Middlesex,
March, 1965.
To the Chairman and Members of the Council.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my last annual report on the
health of the Urban District of Hayes and Farlington.
The incidence of infectious diseases was low in 1964.
There have been outbreaks of "winter vomiting" in 3 schools
in the district during the spring and summer. These followed
the well known pattern of brief illness of dramatic onset with
rapid recovery affecting mainly "infants"; no causative
agent was isolated and the occurrence of school holidays put an
end to the spread of infection. There was also an outbreak of
Sonnei dysentery in a residential nursery. This infection was
introduced by 2 children who already had the disease on admission.
It was not severe and was eradicated without difficulty
but not until most of the children and some of the staff had
contracted it.
In anticipation of the biennial measles epidemic of winter
1964/65 the Medical Research Council carried out trials of a
measles vaccine in September and October and a number of parents
in the district took advantage of the protection offered to
their children. Those selected were in the age group 10 months
to 2 years and a follow up during the early part of 1965 when
the measles incidence will be at its height should show how
satisfactory the vaccine is.
Turning to the other end of the age scale, there have been
improved facilities available for old people in the district.
The local welfare committee is a very active voluntary organisation
which has provided meals on wheels and holidays for the
disabled for some years. The scope of the meals has been
doubled, and in addition there has been a scheme for subsidised
meals to be obtained at the Civic Restaurant. In co operation
with the County Council as local health authority chiropody has
been provided for both the ambulant and the house bound and a
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