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is that unless a certain high level of immunity is kept up, there is a definite risk that infections will
return—the germs are always present in the community—maybe in epidemic form. The price
of freedom from infectious disease is eternal vigilance, and persistence in carrying out the
immunisation programme to its fullest possible extent.
Mention has been made previously of the risk of the importation of smallpox in this age of
rapid air travel. A district so near to an international airport needs to be particularly careful to be
as fully protected as possible. Therefore, infant vaccination is advised, first to protect the individual,
and second to make any re-vaccination which may be necessary for contact or travel purposes
much less troublesome in later years.
The work of a public health department is very much a team effort, and I cannot let this
opportunity pass without expressing my personal thanks to Mr. Jenkins, the Chief Public Health
Inspector, and his colleagues for their most loyal co-operation over many years. The extent of
their work is summarised in Mr. Jenkins' report, and this gives only the outlines of what is really
achieved in securing a high environmental standard for the district.
It is fitting also that tribute should be paid to the co-operation always willingly given by the
general practitioners of the district and by the hospital staffs whenever they have been involved.
This help has made the work so much more worthwhile.
Finally, the help and encouragement given by the Chairman and members of the Health
Committee have been of inestimable value. It has been a pleasure to work under such conditions
of full support, and I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity of so doing over all the
years I have been here. 1 am sorry that such an association must now come to an end.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
O. C. DOBSON,
Medical Officer of Health.
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