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with .57 in 1948 and .72 in 1947. The number of cases of tuberculosis remains
high, probably to some extent accounted for by the increased use of the chest clinics
and other facilities available for the early detection of the disease.
The general insufficiency of institutional beds for tuberculosis cases continues.
However, the opening during the year at the Brook General Hospital of a new
isolation ward is a most welcome development locally. The increasing use in this
country of B.C.G. vaccine as a protection against infection is a new factor in fighting
the disease which should show the beneficial results indicated by Continental experience.
At the present time the vaccine is being made available primarily to
hospital and nursing staffs, those constantly exposed to infection and similar special
groups.
Poliomyelitis, which continues to present difficult problems, occurred in
epidemic form over the country during the summer months of 1949. In Woolwich,
there were 25 confirmed cases—the highest number on record and slightly more
than during the 1947 epidemic. Two cases proved fatal, but I am pleased to say
that 18 patients made a complete recovery.
The year 1949 was notable for the low incidence of whooping cough and there
was also a drop in measles notifications.
During April and May cases of smallpox were reported in the London area.
Precautions were taken locally and many contacts of a suspected case were kept
under observation.
Diphtheria, which was a major problem in the years between the wars, has now
become a comparatively rare disease. Only 11 years ago there were 507 confirmed
cases in Woolwich alone, with 8 deaths occurring from this disease. The total
confirmed cases numbered only 8 during 1949 and there were no deaths ascribed
to this disease. This rapid fall has coincided with the immunisation campaign
carried out on a large scale during the past few years.
The housing situation is one of particular difficulty. That part of the Report
dealing with sanitary administration shows that much work has been done in the
remedying of defects and in the abatement of nuisances associated with housing.
At the end of the year Woolwich still had a clear lead over other metropolitan
boroughs in the post-war provision of houses.
The number of complaints of sanitary defects has increased. It is not difficult
to find the cause. There are a large number of older type houses in the Borough,
particularly in the Woolwich and Plumstead districts, which now require increasing
maintenance work to keep them in a reasonable state of repair. Investigation of
complaints and repeated visits within a short period has accounted for a large proportion
of the sanitary inspectors' time, and it has not yet been possible to carry
out house-to-house inspections on a large scale.
It is hoped that the time is not far distant when the process of clearing the
Borough of its substandard property can be recommenced; The Council at the
end of the year made an approach to the London County Council for the transference
to the Council of the Lord Warwick Street Clearance area for representation
and subsequent development.
Those inspectors responsible for the inspection and supervision of the food
supplies have experienced a particularly busy year. Progress can be reported in
the work of securing a satisfactory level of hygiene among kitchen staffs and other
food handlers. Personal contact with such workers is of the utmost importance
and usually has the desired results.
Draft food by-laws based on the series of model by-laws issued during the year
by the Ministry of Food, and which it is hoped will shortly be made applicable to
London, should be of assistance in the work of exercising a greater control in the
handling and sale of food.
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