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The number of cases of poliomyelitis was only one more than in 1958, a record year. There is no
doubt that vaccination is having an effect and its extension to the age group up to 40 years will certainly
play an important part in eliminating this disease. Many talks were given in factories on poliomyelitis vaccination
and a doctor and nurse from the health department went into many of them and vaccinated the
workers there in the management's time. As a result of these facilities many more were done who might
otherwise have been neglected.
During the last week in May an extensive publicity campaign was carried out which included posters,
films at local cinemas and a recorded broadcast at a local dance studio during dancing sessions and classes.
A striking exhibit was also shown at the Willesden Show in September.
There was a further increase in the number of cases of dysentery and there were two outbreaks
at day nurseries and one in the hostel at 91 Dartmouth Road. There is no doubt that unless toilet facilities
are adequate and scrupulous cleanliness is maintained, dysentery is likely to spread.
There were four outbreaks of food poisoning during the year, and in three of these the cause was
the same: meat was left to cool slowly so allowing germs to flourish. Meat must be cooled rapidly and
placed in a refrigerator if this variety of food poisoning is to be avoided. Despite these four outbreaks, the
actual number of cases of food poisoning was less than last year.
Bronchitis and cancer of the lung have increased in importance. There was a new high record of
deaths from cancer of the lung, and there were eight deaths in men for every one in women, probably because
of the heavier smoking habits of middle-aged and elderly men.
Cancer generally has now become a very important disease and much work could be done by
educating people on how to prevent it and also how to obtain early treatment. This was recognised by the
authorities over five years ago when they suggested there should be a special scheme for health education
on cancer in Willesden. The appointment of an officer to help carry out this scheme was made in May,
1957, but the scheme has not been started in Willesden yet.
Bronchitis placed a very heavy burden on the hospitals during the year and at one time only
emergencies could be treated. A special committee has been formed representing various branches of the
service, including research, to make studies of bronchitis. Already much useful work has been done in
investigating deaths from this disease and methods of treatment and prevention. A plan which will be
carried out in the immediate future includes organising a therapeutic group for early chronic bronchitics in
a local authority centre, and a further study of drugs which may be used in prevention.
Dirty air undoubtedy has some effect, both in cancer of the lung and in bronchitis, and the Council
has plans to make the whole of Willesden a smokeless zone within a period of ten years. Already the first
two areas have been dealt with and the third one has been surveyed. The Council is co-operating with the
neighbouring borough councils in their plans for clear air.
There have been the usual complaints about factory chimneys and there have been meetings with
the railway authorities on the nuisances of railway smoke from the Willesden, Neasden and Cricklewood
Locomotive Depots. The plan is to electrify completely the main line from Euston to Liverpool and Manchester,
but until this has been done we can still expect smoke nuisance from railway engines.
The power stations are not creating as big a nuisance as they did in the past, firstly because of the
transfer and modernisation of the Acton Lane Power Station, and secondly the reduction in the generating
power at Taylors Lane.
The first clean air exhibition in Willesden was held at the beginning of the year, and was very successful.
Exhibitors included the gas and electric companies, the Health Department and the Coal Utilisation
Council.
The other danger from air is radiation, and the Council has been seriously concerned about this,
together with the dangers from other sources, such as radioactive waste and materials. The Council has
made many applications to the Minister and various other bodies for a more efficient monitoring service.
There has been an extension of the health education on the dangers of cigarette smoking to both
school children and workers in factories. There is no doubt that many school children start to smoke at an
early age and it is at this time that their future can be determined by discouraging them from smoking
cigarettes, because once the habit is formed it is difficut to break. Adults, teachers and doctors must not
only preach to school children but set a good example themselves.
We are winning the battle against tuberculosis, but we still have to deal with the problem that at
least one-fifth of the deaths over the past six years have occurred in elderly men previously unknown to the
health authorities. Although the numbers are small this group can be quite dangerous because they are
difficult to discover before they have infected others.