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6
The Chairman and members of the Home Safety Committee and health visitors gave talks on
Accidents in the Home to religious and social organisations (see page 22).
During November, considerable publicity was given to the National 'Guard that Fire' camaign.
The subject was introduced at mothercraft classes; a feature article and picture were published in the 'Civic
Review'; posters were shown at clinics, day nurseries, public libraries, schools, factories, shops and sites in
the area. All our correspondence was stamped with illustrated slogans.
Altogether one can look back on the year with the satisfaction of knowing that more and more people
in Willesden are being enlisted in the battle against disease.
PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES
The declining incidence and mortality of infectious diseases such as diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles,,
whooping cough and typhoid fever in the past 50 years is a reflection mainly of improving living standards.
Better housing and better nutrition, improved ventilation, and smaller families have helped to increase
resistance and reduce the possibilities of spread of infection. Health visitors and public health inspectors have
played an invaluable role in health education and in improving hygiene.
A summary of notified and confirmed cases, and deaths from various diseases for 1957 and 1958
is shown in Table 13.
Whooping cough (table 14)
The incidence of whooping cough fell sharply in 1958 compared with previous years. The number
of cases confirmed was the lowest recorded since 1919. There was also a sharp fall in the incidence for
England and Wales but Willesden continued to be lower, as it has been since 1947.
Dysentery
In common with the remainder of the country, there was an increase in the number of cases of
Sonne dysentery during the year. In the country generally the disease is much more prevalent than before
the war. It is usually a mild disease causing no deaths but it can produce some disruption and discomfort in
the life of the community.
There were two outbreaks: —
(1) The first occurred at the Bungalow Nursery, Barretts Green Road, on the 24th February. Altogether 16
children and three of the staff were affected; 15 children and one member of the staff had symptoms,
and one child and two staff were found to be carriers. Two cases were admitted to the isolation hospital.
The infection took three months to clear up and new admissions were not accepted until 29th May.
(2) The second outbreak occurred at the Villiers Road Day Nursery on the 10th February. Although 44
children and 5 of the staff were affected ; 19 children and 1 member of the staff had symptoms and 22
children and 4 of the staff were found to be carriers. Four cases and 2 carriers were admitted to hospital.
The infection took some time to clear up and new admissions were not accepted until 5th May.
Poliomyelitis
There were seven notified cases of poliomyelitis, but only four were confirmed (three paralytic).
There were no deaths (Table 15).
This was by far and away the best year since 1951, and it is likely that vaccination has played a
part in this. During the year vaccination was extended to all those under 26 years, and despite considerable
publicity in the factories and schools the response was not good until a famous footballer died. There was
a shortage of vaccine at the beginning of the year, but with the importation of large stocks of American
vaccine this was largely overcome.
Food poisoning
There were no outbreaks of food poisoning.
Puerperal pyrexia
Since 1st August, 1951, puerperal pyrexia applies to any 'febrile condition occurring in a woman in
whom a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (or 38 degrees Centigrade) has occurred within fourteen
days after childbirth or miscarriage'. There was a slight decrease in the number of cases in 1958.
Epidemic vomiting
In January, 1958, there was an outbreak of epidemic vomiting at the Bridge Road Infants and Junior
School. The first case occurred on the 13th January, and between 70 and 100 pupils and six staff were
affected during the next five days.
The main symptoms were vomiting, headache, malaise, etc., and, in a few cases, diarrhoea as a
minor symptom. The malaise was fairly severe for a few days, especially among the adults. The acute
symptoms lasted from 12 to 24 hours, and many children returned to school after one day's illness; others
after about a week. It was not possible to trace the source of the infection.