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resulted in 7 deaths. In his Annual Report for 1934, the Medical
Officer of Health states "Throughout the year Diphtheria has been
prevalent. There has, however, been no epidemic of any magnitude.
In all, notifications numbered 203, and deaths amounted to 15."
The progress made since that time is evident from the fact that not
only did Romford have no case of the disease during 1960, but the total
number of cases in England and Wales amounted to 49 only, and 5
deaths were ascribed to the disease.
The fact that cases and deaths from the disease occurred in the
London area recently should be a warning to all parents against
complacency. Freedom from this disease can only be maintained by
parents insisting on having their children fully immunised against it.
ROMFORD CHEST CLINIC
Dr. S. Thompson, Chest Physician, reports as follows:—
During the year 1960 the trend towards lower incidence and lower
death rate from tuberculosis continued, though in the combined districts
of Romford and Hornchurch served by the Romford Chest Clinic
there was a slight rise in new respiratory cases and also in the death
rate. More cases of tuberculosis were transferred into the area than
were transferred out, so that the total notified cases remaining on the
register at the end of the year showed a rise and there were over 1,500
notified cases at the end of the year.
It is gratifying to note that the incidence in children is very small
and the more serious forms of miliary tuberculosis of the lungs and
tuberculous meningitis are becoming extremely rare. This is no doubt
attributable partly to the great reduction in infectious cases in the
population due to the widespread use of chemotherapy and antituberculous
drugs. In addition, the extension of the use of B.C.G.
vaccination is giving the child population increased protection against
infection.
The Regional Board decided to close the smaller chest units in the
Region and unfortunately the chest unit at Rush Green Hospital,
which had served a most useful purpose for the local population for the
past 10 years, was one of the units to be closed and the beds used for
other purposes. The bulk of the local cases of tuberculosis are now
treated in Broomfield Hospital and Dagenham Hospital, together with
a small chest unit at High Wood Hospital, Brentwood.
The seeking out of contacts and the follow-up of cases referred
from the Mass Radiography Units continues to increase and the
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