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From these figures it will be noted that there was a high number of children found
to be suffering from uncleanliness or verminous condition. The increase over 1945 is
1,156 to 948—nearly 25%. While this looks to be a very unsatisfactory figure, it is possibly
due to a more thorough inspection and discovery of early cases of infestation as a result
of the increased co-operation throughout the service as a result of the amalgamation of the
public health and school medical work.
The discovery of early cases in school is of the utmost importance in the prevention
of the spread of infestation by vermin, and mothers are given precise instructions as to the
methods of dealing with lightly infested cases in a thorough manner.
No legal proceedings were taken during the year with regard to uncleanliness or
verminous conditions relating to children attending schools in the Borough.
Prevention of Blindness.
No action has been taken under Section 176 of the Public Health Act, 1936, by
this authority for the prevention of blindness or for the treatment of persons suffering from
any disease or injury to the eyes. Several persons are, however, receiving assistance from
organisations who care for the blind.
Tuberculosis.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
The number of new cases notified during the year was 82.
Other Forms of Tuberculosis.
The number of new cases notified during the year was 16.
Of the total notifications 27 were notified from Institutions (Sanatoria 2, County
Council Hospitals 23, General Hospitals 2).
Deaths from Tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis of the respiratory system, 24 ; other forms, 3.
For details of new cases notified and deaths in 1946, see Appendix, Table XXVIII,
and the occupation of new cases, see Appendix, Table XXIX.
Public Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925.
Public Health Act, 1936, Section 172.
Action under these powers was not necessary during the year.
Venereal Diseases.
The Middlesex County Council is the authority under the Public Health (Venereal
Disease) Regulations, for the treatment of Venereal Disease in the County.
REPORT ON THE BOROUGH ISOLATION HOSPITAL
During the year 109 patients were admitted to the Isolation Hospital, as compared
with 174 in 1945. Of these, 59 were sent in as scarlatina, 25 as diphtheria, 2 as measles,
6 as impetigo and scabies, 9 as whooping cough, 1 as tonsillitis, 1 as jaundice, 1 as enteric,
1 as mumps, 1 as chicken-pox, and 3 as rubella. Of the cases sent in as scarlatina, 1 was
unconfirmed and was diagnosed as suffering from another disease. Similarly, of the cases
sent in as diphtheria or suspected diphtheria, 11 were unconfirmed.
(Tables No. XXX and XXXI show the figures for the year and for each month,
respectively.)
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