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37
Pilot Survey.
Earlier in the year arrangements had been made in certain
pre-selected parts of the country for a special pilot survey to be
undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in order to
obtain reliable information on certain features connected with the
mode of spread of the disease. The County of Essex was one of the
areas selected for the purpose, and the Ministry of Health is being
supplied with all the records required.
Incidence of Cases.
During the year there were notified 12 cases, in five of which
there was no paralysis of any kind. Of the seven paralysed cases
the severity of the disease in two cases was moderate; In the
remainder paralysis was mild.
Mode of Spread.
For the first time I have seen the occurrence of two cases in one
house—both fortunately very mild.
Otherwise, no common source of infection was established;
and no affected child had been recently immunised against either
diphtheria or whooping cough.
Administrative Measures.
On 21st July there was addressed to all local medical practitioners
a letter drawing attention to existing arrangements and
enlisting their co-operation in an endeavour to bring cases under
treatment at as early a stage of the disease as possible.
It has been reported that when poliomyelitis follows operations
for removal of tonsils and adenoids, the disease tends to be more
serious. Under the circumstances local ear, nose and throat
surgeons were asked to consider the advisability of postponing
operations on Leyton children until such time as the prevalence of
poliomyelitis showed signs of receding.
Although the water of swimming baths has been suspected as a
potential source of spread, no definite evidence of such spread of the
disease has been shown to exist. Nevertheless, in collaboration with
the Baths Superintendent, special precautions were taken to ensure
that the residual chlorine in swimming baths was kept at a constantly
high level, and that all hired bathing suits and towels were
adequately sterilised.