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most careful watch was kept on all known contacts. Fortunately,
only one more case of poliomyelitis was reported from this part
of the Borough, and one from the corresponding part of Southgate
during the year. The most careful enquiries did not bring to
light any connection between the individual cases.
The Council will be aware of the programme of vaccination
against poliomyelitis 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 being made available in increasing
quantities. During 1957 approximately 1,080 Wood Green children
were given two injections of poliomyelitis vaccine. At the end
of the year some 280 children had received a first injection and
should have been given their second injection during the early
months of 1958, No American vaccine was officially available in
this country during 1957. It will be appreciated that this figure
must be approximate, as we have very limited information relating
to children who attend boarding schools outside Wood Green who
received their inoculations in other parts of the country. It is
also much too soon to estimate the effect which the programme of
vaccinations will have on the incidence of poliomyelitis; 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 hope will accrue.
Measles
As noted elsewhere, 876 cases of measles were notified during
the year,, as against 27 cases in 1956.
These facts indicate that 1957 was a "measles year". Once
again, the disease itself was mild in the extreme, only 17 cases
requiring to be admitted to hospital.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Ninety-five cases of pertussis (whooping cough) were noti
fied during the year, as against 37 in 1956. As noted elsewhere,
we are continuing our policy of offering immunisation against
pertussis (whooping cough). Again, as noted elsewhere, these
injections are being given quite apart from immunisation against
diphtheria.
As pertussis (whooping cough) is most serious during the
first six months of life, our programme is aimed at protecting
children as soon as practicable after birth, having due regard to
the need for vaccination against smallpox during the same period.
Food Poisoning(including Sonne Dysentery)
One might almost say that the figures relating to the incidence
of food poisoning (including sonne dysentery) reported in
the Borough over the past few years indicate that this type of
infection can now be regarded as virtually endemic in the resident
population. Having regard to the increasing number of food
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