View report page

1953 : Case A. Paralysis of left Girl aged 9. Full recovery.
leg.
1952: Case B. Paralysis of both Adult male. Full recovery.
legs.
Case C. Paralysis of left Boy now aged 2 years. Paralysis persists and growth of leg
leg. is retarded. Continuing physiotherapy.
Case D. Paralysis of both Boy now aged 4 years. Very great improvement. Full
legs. recovery of power. Some shortening of right leg and
foot for which a special boot is to be made and physiotherapy
continued.
Case F. Paralysis of limbs Adult female. Continues to make progress, but slowly.
and trunk. Both legs paralysed, both arms weak. Attends hospital
for physiotherapy.
Case G. Paralysis of both Boy now aged 13 years. Continues to make progress,
legs. Walks well. Wears caliper for right leg.
1950: Case A. Paralysis in left Adult male. Residual partial paralysis left leg. At work,
leg-
Case B. Paralysis in both Boy now aged 6 years. Continues to improve. Still slight
legs. weakness left leg.
Case C. Paralysis in arms, Girl now aged 18 years. Continues to make slight progress.
etc. Residual paralysis in legs—but has increased muscle tone
in toe muscles, quadriceps. Continues physiotherapy
treatment and travels in motor wheel chair.
1949: Case B. Paralysis anterior Girl now aged 13 years. Almost full recovery. Physiotibials,
etc. therapy not required.
Influenza
There was a considerable amount of influenza during the early part of the year 1953,
many cases being known to be due to Virus A and of serious character. 9 deaths from
influenza were reported, 3 male, 6 female. The ages at death varied from 41 to 84, and these
deaths occurred between 21st January, 1953, and 12th March, 1953. It is likely that
this was yet another sequel to the great fog of December, 1952, in that lowered resistance
and resultant bronchitis or pneumonia made the patients succumb to the further attack
by influenza virus.
Smallpox (Variola)
No patients with smallpox, but 2 contacts of cases of smallpox were notified to the
Department from the Port Authorities during the year. Observations were maintained
on the 2 contacts during the incubation period in which symptoms of the disease might
develop.
Vaccination Against Smallpox
It is very satisfactory to be able to report, for 1953, a considerable improvement of
the vaccination figures. The details are shown in the table below with the comparative
table for 1952, and from this it will be seen that the rise in the total number of primary
vaccinations amount to 66% over the 1952 figure. Of 713 children born, 310 received
vaccination during the first year of life, and this is the highest figure recorded for many
years. It is interesting to speculate how much of this increase may have been due to the
nation-wide publicity campaign carried out by the Ministry of Health in co-operation
with the local health authorities and local sanitary authorities, and how much to the
institution of facilities at County Council Clinics for the vaccination of children. Figures
supplied by the Area Medical Officer show that 135 children under the age of 5 received
primary vaccination at County Council Clinics in Southall from April to December, 1953.