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When one considers the relative position of poliomyelitis and
multiple sclerosis, perhaps the commonest of all nervous diseases
occurring in this country today, an interesting fact emerges. We
know that multiple sclerosis is directly responsible for approximately
800 deaths every year, while poliomyelitis usually accounts for
something between 200 and 300 annual deaths. It is certainly a
fact that we know a great deal about acute anterior poliomyelitis,
while our knowledge of the aetiology and treatment of multiple
sclerosis still presents a very great problem. Yet the obvious
anomaly remains. I merely give this comparison to show that
diseases which are not necessarily infectious in the commonly acepted
sense of the term should not, merely because of their non-infectious
nature remain unknown in the community. Even if we still have
to wait until research and modern science have provided us with the
weapons with which to deal with such diseases as coronary
thrombosis, leukasmia, multiple sclerosis, cancer, to mention only
a few of the more serious disorders in this category, we would still
like to have some approximate idea of the magnitude of the problem,
so that we can study it more fully. It is by no means certain, of
course, that this study would bring forth the much-needed answers;
but we would at least have the satisfaction of trying to establish
whether or not there was any factor in the district which had
significance. After all, the sum total of the facts ascertained in
many districts might eventually be scientifically related to the vast
amount of medical research which is taking place in so many
hospitals and laboratories in this country and elsewhere.
Diphtheria.
For the eleventh year in succession, no case of diphtheria was
notified in the Borough. The last death took place approximately
sixteen years ago.
Our campaign of immunisation against diphtheria has been
carried on throughout the year along the general lines set out in
my Annual Report for 1957. We are still continuing to give
separate protection against diphtheria and pertussis (whooping
cough), in the belief that the protection afforded by vaccination
against poliomyelitis is not yet sufficiently advanced to remove the
possible danger of provocation poliomyelitis. I am very pleased
to be able to report that Southgate mothers have freely accepted
our advice and are attending with their infants as often as is necessary
at clinics or at their family doctors surgeries, to have their
children protected against diphtheria and pertussis (whooping
cough), and also vaccinated against smallpox. As the necessary
number of visits, including vaccination against poliomyelitis does not
entail more than one visit each month to a clinic or to the family
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