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for the booster dose steadily increased as the result of persistent propaganda by word of
mouth by the doctors and health visitors, and by posters displayed at the clinics.
The number of children receiving a complete course of injections during the period
was 470.
Anti-diphtheria immunisation was carried out at the Branch Health Centre and at the
Featherstone Road School Clinic.

Whooping Cough Immunisation.
One hundred and twenty-six completed a course of vaccination against whooping cough.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
No cases of ophthalmia neonatorum were notified during the year.
Acute Poliomyelitis.
Two cases were notified in the Borough during the year.
One of the 2 cases was left with residual paralysis and was subsequently treated as an
in-patient at Stanmore Orthopaedic Hospital, later still as an out-patient she attended for
physiotherapy at the North Road Clinic, Southall. This patient made continual, if slight,
progress in the acquisition of increased muscle movement during the year. There were no
deaths from this disease.
Notifiable Diseases during the Year.
For the incidence of various infectious diseases, excluding tuberculosis, notified during
the year, under age groups, locality, and certain cases occurring among school children,
see Appendix, Tables XXIII, XXIV and XXV.
Infectious Disease Visits.
During the year, the health visitors paid 548 visits with reference to cases of infectious
disease, 110 swabs were taken. The total number of children examined by the health
visitors in the schools was 125.
Uncleanliness and Verminous Conditions in School Children.
Number of children on roll at 31st December, 1948 7,465
Total number of examinations of children in schools by the school nurses 23,149
Number of individual children found unclean 400
Number of children cleansed under arrangements made by the Local
Education Authority 186
Out of a total of 29,736 examined in 1947, 785 individual children were found to be
unclean. The figures shown here for 1948, therefore, suggest a very great improvement
in the condition of the school children. There is no doubt that the regular inspection of
school children, twice in each term, carried out prior to 4th July, 1948, appears to be having
a very great effect on the incidence of scabies and vermin.
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.
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