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7
Preface
Public Health Offices,
Ilford.
July, 1955
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of Ilford.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I submit herewith the Annual Report on the Health Services for the
year 1954.
It is very gratifying indeed to report that the infant mortality rate of
18 69 is the lowest we have ever had, it is considerably lower than that of
the rest of England and Wales; also, in spite of the increase in age of our
population, the death rate has fallen to 10.50.
Prevalence of Infectious Disease.
During the year there was one case of poliomyelitis notified in the
Borough. He made an excellent recovery. Unfortunately one Ilford
resident contracted polio elsewhere and died in a South Coast Hospital.
For the third year in succession there was no notification of any case
of diphtheria. However, we must still remain on the watch for this disease,
particularly as in recent months there have been several cases in a nearby
borough.
There were three outbreaks of what is sometimes known as "winter
vomiting." Two of these were in schools. The cause of this disease is
not known, but it is assumed to be due to a virus, and usually the disease
is quite mild. Its importance is that unless care is taken the cases might
be considered to be due to food poisoning contracted from school meals.
In the cases mentioned many of the children had had no school meals and
no causative organism was ever discovered. More detailed information is
presented in the body of the Report.
The March of Measles.
The last winter has been notable because one of the largest measles
epidemics was prevalent, not only in Ilford. but throughout the country.
In six months in Ilford 3,421 cases of measles were notified. For various
reasons, such as neglect of some doctors to notify the condition, and
perhaps of more import, the fact that in many cases a doctor was not
called in, the true incidence of the epidemic is unknown. Head Teachers
are requested to notify the Department of any known cases of measles
amongst their pupils, but this source of information is quite unreliable.
A hint of the extent of the epidemic may be given when it is stated that
in our three Day Nurseries 61 cases of measles occurred during these
months, of which 26, i.e., 42% were notified In the school age group an
even smaller percentage would be notified, as the older children are less
likely to be seen by the doctor. However, if the assumption that 42% of
all cases are notified is correct for the whole age range, this would mean
that during the six months there were 8,550 cases of measles. There are
approximately 25,000 children under the age of 10 in the town—measles