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I have considered this matter very carefully on more than
one occasion, and have discussed it fully with my medical and
sanitary staff, both in the Public Health Department and in the
Area. After weighing all the possibilities, I am satisfied that we
are pursuing a commonsense, logical policy, based on the scientific
information at our disposal. I am also convinced that our policy,
although it does mean a collection of many specimens, is
economical, both in time and money, if a long-term view is taken.
This policy also has the advantage of allowing us to investigate the
family circumstances of each case of food poisoning or dysentery.
Tt can further be said that the families in which such cases occur
are very often reassured by the action taken.
Puerperal Pyrexia
Five cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified during the year,
as against five in 1950. It is pleasing to be able to report that
no maternal deaths occurred during the year.
Smallpox
Although no cases of smallpox occurred in Southgate during
1950, several suspected cases were reported. In each instance,
these proved to be cases of chicken-pox.
Vaccination against smallpox is not the concern of the
Borough Council, but is a subject in which we are obviously
interested. In this connection, it might be stated that the Middlesex
County Council has authorised the carrying out of vaccination at
welfare clinics within the County. It is certainly a fact that the
level of vaccination has fallen very seriously throughout the
country, and that Southgate is no exception. I have therefore taken
the opportunity to stress the value of vaccination in occasional
newspaper articles; as Area Medical Officer I also address a letter
to the parents of all young infants, strongly advising vaccination.
Tuberculosis
Sixty-nine cases of tuberculosis (60 pulmonary, 9 nonpulmonary)
were notified during the year, as against 67 in 1950.
The distribution of the cases notified among the various wards
during the year was as follows:
North-East North-West South Middle
17 15 27 10
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