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In the same connection, disinfection, terminal or otherwise, which
is still requested after a case of scarlet fever occurs has now lost
most of its significance, except as a psychological placebo.
I would like to take this opportunity of once again thanking
the Central Public Health Laboratory for the valuable assistance
afforded in relation to the outbreak of scarlet fever at Hazelwood
Lane School. The following work was carried out by the
Laboratory in connection with this outbreak:
Number of swabs examined 660
Number of samples of dust, etc., examined 22
Number of children excluded 32
The help afforded by the Central Public Health Laboratory
was greatly appreciated. It certainly allowed us to appraise the
situation more accurately than would otherwise have been the case.
Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis.—Twelve cases of acute anterior
poliomyelitis were reported during 1950, as against four in 1949.
These cases were made up as follows:
Paralytic, 8 (4 children, 4 adults).
Non-paralytic, 4 (2 children, 2 adults).
The distribution in the various wards was as follows:
North-West. North-East. Middle. South.
2 5 4 1
Opportunity was taken during the year to keep general practitioners
fully informed regarding the trend of poliomyelitis, while
information of a non-sensational nature was supplied to the local
Press and also to head teachers, as circumstances demanded. The
following statement was circulated to head teachers in September,
1950, so that they could take such steps as appeared desirable to
reduce the risk of infection:
"Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis.—Four cases of acute anterior
poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis) have been notified in Southgate
within the past three weeks. One of these cases was "imported,"
the infection having been contracted elsewhere. A further suspected
case was notified this morning. Two of the four definite cases
were paralytic, the remaining two were mild and showed no
paralysis."
"In order to allay any unnecessary anxiety, but at the same
time to indicate the simple precautionary measures which should be
taken, I prepared the statement which was sent to the local Press.
This was published in the current issue of the 'Palmers Green
Gazette' and 'Weekly Herald.'
32