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Tuberculosis, however, still killed 108 Walthamstow people in
1931 Dr. Powell wrote
Reviewing the incidence of infectious diseases there
was happily a diminished incidence in respect of the
three main diseases. Thus smallpox only showed one third
of the incidence of 1930 scarlet fever three quarters,
and diphtheria some three fifths. Enteric fever, however,
accounted for a total of 3 8 cases 33 of which were part
of the Epping" outbreak. As a result of this experience
I have no hesitation in stressing the necessity for the
compulsory pasteurisation of all raw and ungraded milk. At
least two important cities in the Country intend to promote
the necessary legislation. The position may well be summed
up in an extract from a recent article from the Public
Health press
The Americans, who are ahead of all nations in the
hygiene of food handling insist upon pasteurisation of
all milk except of what corresponds to our certified
milk and be it noted the American drinks five times as
much milk as the Englishman. But, be it noted also, in
the States pasteurising plants are closely watched by
the Health Authorities as distilleries are watched by the
revenue officers in England. "
I think we can claim that this ideal at least, has been
attained. All milk sold in Walthamstow must be either tuberculin
tested or heat treated and all dairies, pasteurising plants and
distributors are licensed annually by the Corporation only after the
Medical Officer of Health is completely satisfied with the standard
of cleanliness maintained and the efficiency of the pasteurising
process. Two hundred and four inspections were made in 1961 for this
purpose while all other premises where food is prepared or sold were
also subjected to close inspection.
Dr. Powell also drew attention to the statement made by the then
Chief Medical Officer to the Ministry of Health no Local Authority
responsible for the health of children should be satisfied that it
has done its duty until every parent knows that children can be
protected against diphtheria with safety and reasonable certainty of
complete protection.
When these needs were so clearly seen and expressed it is
remarkable that pasteurisation of milk was not made compulsory in
London until 1951 and diphtheria immunisation was not generally
adopted until 1940 Delay in the legislative and administrative
machinery imposes such a time lag that, if progress is to be
maintained, it is very necessary for the Health Committee and its
Medical Officer of Health to be somewhat ahead of their time in
recognising trends and anticipating needs. Walthamstow has evidently
been fortunate in this respect.