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illogical to suggest that matters such as those referred to above should
be controlled by the local Council since, as I have already stated,
working conditions in factories, shops and similar premises have a
very definite bearing on the health of the community. At the
moment we are more or less confined to specific duties under the
Factories and Workshops Acts. These duties we carry out, and have
at least the satisfaction of knowing that our reports receive attention.
Since taking up my duties in Wood Green, I have visited a
number of factories in the Borough, and have seen for myself the
conditions under which work is being carried on. Although I have
been impressed by what I have seen and by the way in which I
have been received, I still look forward to the day when our powers
will be extended, when the Public Health Department will be
privileged to take a much more intimate part in this important
work.
So far as housing is concerned, the year 1954 should see the
beginnings of a new programme in housing, which will undoubtedly
have a substantial effect upon the lives and health of the people.
This is a matter upon which I hope to be able to report much
more fully in next year's Annual Report. Meanwhile, we await the
arrival of the Housing, Repairs and Rents Act with the keenest of
interest.
Diphtheria
For the sixth year in succession, no case of diphtheria was
notified in the Borough. The last death from diphtheria took place
in 1939.
As I remarked in last year's Annual Report, these figures are
evidence of the great change which has come about within recent
years, a change which can, at least in very great part, be attributed
to immunisation.
The paragraphs contained in the Report for 1952 relating to
immunisation still hold. We have made several minor adjustments
in our programme in the light of recent advances in this branch of
preventive medicine. We also co-operated with the County Council
in running a fortnight's intensive propaganda campaign, during
which we made use of slides at cinemas, articles in local newspapers,
advertisements, posters and leaflets.
The latest figures would appear to show that 95% of Wood
Green school children have been fully protected against diphtheria
by immunisation, 57% of children under the age of five have also
been protected.
During the year, 696 children were immunised for the first
time in Wood Green. Three hundred and seventy of these children
were immunised against diphtheria only, 326 being immunised
against diphtheria and pertussis. During the same period, 1,084
children received reinforcing injections.
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