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transferred to the orthopaedic unit at Highlands Hospital for treatment
to aid recovery. The remaining one of the nine cases occurred
in a woman of 28 years of age. This patient had a particularly
severe type of poliomyelitis from which unfortunately she died on
admission to hospital.
Four of the nine cases reported during the year occurred in
July, 1957. Three of these children attended Arnos School and
one attended Bowes Road School. At the same time, three cases
were reported from the adjoining part of the Borough of Wood
Green, thus involving a total of seven children developing poliomyelitis
within a period of a few weeks in the New Southgate
portion of the Borough and the adjoining portion of Wood Green.
At the time it looked as though we might be at the outset of an
outbreak or even an epidemic. The strictest measures of hygiene
were therefore undertaken in all the schools concerned, while a
most careful watch was kept on all known contacts. Fortunately
no more cases of poliomyelitis were reported from this part of the
Borough and only one from the corresponding part of Wood Green
after August. The most careful enquiries did not bring to light any
connection between the individual cases reported.
The Council will be aware of the programme of vaccination
against polio which continued throughout 1957. The Council will
also be aware of the interruptions which have taken place in our
schedule of inoculations owing to the hold-up in vaccine which
occurred early in 1958. Although this is a matter which more
properly belongs to the Annual Report for 1958, it can be said that
vaccine is now becoming available in increasing quantities. During
1957, approximately 1,948 Southgate children have been given two
injections of British polio vaccine, as the American vaccine was
not then being used officially in this country. A further 472
children have received one injection and should have received their
second during the early months of 1958. Much of the American
vaccine, although tested and licensed in the country of origin, has
not been re-tested again in this country.
It will be appreciated that the figures set out above must, of
course, be approximate, as we have very limited information relating
to children who attend boarding schools outside Southgate and
who received their inoculations in other parts of the country. It is
also much too soon to estimate the effect which the programme
of vaccination will have on the incidence of polio; or, indeed,
whether a third inoculation will still be required. This is a matter
which must rest with the future, although we are all sanguine of
the benefits which we sincerely hope will accrue.
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