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9
The epidemic of measles made its anticipated appearance early in
1965 and a total of 2,469 cases were notified. Several hundreds of children,
who had been given one or other of the two schedules of protective immunisation
in the Medical Research Council's Measles Vaccine Trial,
were followed-up during the year. Later, all the registered children who
had not been immunised in the initial phase of the trial were offered, and
in the main given, the protective vaccine using the second schedule of one
dose of killed vaccine and one dose of live vaccine. A report on the efficacy
of the new vaccine is expected early in 1966. Apart from a rise in the
number of cases of dysentery notified, the general picture regarding notifiable
diseases was satisfactory, with falls recorded in the number of cases
of pulmonary tuberculosis, scarlet fever, pneumonia and whooping cough.
The only deaths due to an infectious disease were caused by tuberculosis.
During the year, several projects were submitted for consideration by
the appropriate Committee and, as a result, it is pleasing to report progress
in the setting up of a pilot scheme for the taking of cervical smears, the
holding of out-patient psychiatric clinics in collaboration with the North
West Regional Hospital Board at one of the Borough's clinics, the formation
of a psychiatric therapeutic social club to provide social activities
for patients discharged from mental hospitals and also for people within
the community whose needs would be met by the club. In addition, social
club facilities were provided for the benefit of subnormal patients within
the community.
The staff of the environmental hygiene section were fully engaged as
usual during the year with routine inspection work, progress being made
with registration and inspection under the Offices, Shops and Railway
Premises and Clean Air Acts. During the year, No. 9 Smoke Control
Order became effective, and in addition, the Minister of Housing and
Local Government confirmed Smoke Control Orders No. 10 and 11, to
come into operation on 1st July and 1st December 1966, respectively.
From April, this section took over many additional duties arising out of
the London Government Act 1963; details of the work involved are given
in the main report.
The question of fluoridation of water supplies was considered by the
Health Committee in the light of Ministry of Health Circular 15/65. The
Committee met representatives of the Harrow Committee Against Fluoridation
to hear their views on the matter, considered my full report and then
resolved to recommend to the Council that arrangements be made for the
addition of fluoride to the Borough's water supplies. This recommendation
was fully debated and finally adopted by the Council. There, because it is
technically impracticable for the Water Company to provide fluoridated
water in only part of its area, the matter rests until such time as there is
unanimity among the various local health authorities within the Water
Undertakers statutory area of supply. When one considers the amount
of time and money that must have been expended over the whole country