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37
Fortunately, the schools were already closed for the holidays but it was
advised that Sunday Schools, gatherings, meetings and camps of the various
youth organisations, Boy Scouts, Boys' Brigade, Army Cadets, A.T.C. and
the equivalent girls' organisations and youth clubs, should be cancelled. The
public swimming baths, and the children's paddling pools in the public parks,
were also closed to the public.
The managements of the local cinemas were communicated with as to
the advisability of discontinuing the children's cinema clubs and this was put
into effect.
In view of the risk of infection, the local hospitals were advised to
consider the postponement of operations on the nose and throat until the
epidemic period had passed.
To prevent the disruption of the health services, it was decided to continue
the work of the Day Nurseries, Welfare Centres, School Clinics and
Treatment Clinics, but the strictest vigilance on the part of the medical and
nursing staffs was maintained to ensure that any child showing any suspicious
symptoms should be immediately excluded. At the same time, every endeavour
was made to keep the numbers using the treatment or waiting rooms to a
minimum.
In the main, the cases which occurred in Ilford were of a mild type,
with one exception, where death occurred three days after admission to the
Isolation Hospital, despite treatment in the "Iron Lung". In only 7 instances
was there any residual paralysis on discharge from hospital. In 5 cases treatment
was continued after discharge from hospital at the Council's Orthopaedic
and Massage Clinics. One patient was transferred to a Special Orthopaedic
Unit for further treatment.
Mention should be made of the fact that the Both mechanical respirator
("Iron Lung") and the Bragg Paul pulsator proved of considerable value in the
treatment of severe cases.
Of the 29 cases notified during the year, 25 cases were admitted to the
Ilford Isolation Hospital; two to the London Hospital; one was notified from
tho Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, and subsequently received
electrical treatment at King George Hospital; one was notified and treated
by a private doctor after reference to the Hospital for Sick Children.
By arrangement with the Central Office for Information, the Ministry
of Health film "Early Diagnosis of Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis" supported
by the film "Penicillin" were shown in the Lambourne Room on 9th September
to approximately 160 general practitioners of the Stratford Division of the
British Medical Association. The Chairman of the Public Health Committee
welcomed the doctors who expressed their appreciation of the arrangements
made. Discussion followed the showing of the films.