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knowledgable in self-care during the pre-natal period, that they
appreciate more the value.of vitamins and correct diet in pregnancy,
that the excellent scheme of propaganda in pre-natal diet conducted by
the Ministry of Food in the press and cinema has taken effect and that
the latest generation of grandmothers are passing on sound and up-to-date
advice.
Deaths from the notifiable infectious diseases were extremely low
this year, and apart from pneumonia and tuberculosis there was only one
death i.e. from cerebrospinal-fever. There were no deaths from diphtheria
of which there were 36 notified cases (53 last year). There
were 774 cases of measles arid 203 of whooping-cough with no deaths.
There were only two cases of poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis), with
no permanent paralyses and no deaths, and one case of enteric (paratyphoid-B)
which recovered. Eighteen cases of dysentery were notified
(8 last year).
The number of notified cases of tuberculosis decreased from 215
last year to 189, with 99 deaths last year and 71 in the year under
review. Formal scabies notifications were reduced, from 415 in 1947
to 156 this year.
There were no caSes of smallpox in the Borough.
With the coming into operation of the National Health Service Act
on 5th July this year the Maternity and Child Welfare. Services with the
staff and Health Visitors passed from the Borough Council to the control
of the London County Council as the Local Health Authority for the
personal health services. Diphtheria immunisation, whooping-cough
immunisation and routine vaccination against smallpox will now also be
under the London County Council though the Borough Medical Officer of
Health still rotain3 powers of vaccination under the Public Health
(Smallpox) Regulations, 1917.
Under the National Assistance Act 1948 the Borough Council has
taken over from the London County Council the burial of those persons
who die without any suitable alternative provision having been made
for burial. Such of the above persons who die in hospital, however,
will now bo buried by the Regional Hospital Board, and those who die
in welfare homes (lately Public Assistance Institutions) will continue
to be buried by the London County Council.
Much of the Tuberculosis 'administration has passed to the Regional
Hospital Board of the Ministry of Health. The tuberculosis notification
registers, measures for the prevention of tuberculosis, supervision
of the environment of tuberculous persons etc., remain with the Borough
Medical Officer of Health but the Tuberculosis Dispensary service together
With most of the staff including the Tuberculosis Officers have
passed to the Regional Board. 'The Tuberculosis Health Visitors will
now be under the control of the London County Council with the exception
of their duties as clinic-nurses at the tuberculosis dispensary
which work will be under the supervision of the Regional Board.
The Tuberculosis Care Committee and the duties concerned therewith,
pass to the London County Council, and a briof review of the growth of
the Tuberculosis Dispensary. Service is appropriate at this time of.
change and of transfer of responsibility.
(ii)