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take samples of blood, and nose and throat swabs, immediately on his diagnosing a case as
influenza-these specimens to be kept in the refrigerator at Southall-Norwood Hospital
until suitable transport could be provided for their undisturbed transference to the
Laboratory. It was hoped thereby that the appearance in the Borough of the A type Virus
(a very delicate organism) could be detected immediately and measures taken to prevent
its gaining ground.
In the event, however, the local influenza outbreak diminished, no cases of the Virus A
type were found, and only 2 patients who died were considered to have influenza as part of
the cause of death. This compared with I influenza death in 1954 and 9 in 1953.
Dysentery
This disease was not a problem in 1955. 17 notifications were received—16 were
confirmed by bacteriological examination but of these 10 occurred in hospital and thus
were not a source of danger to other members of the community.
Smallpox (Variola)
No cases of smallpox occurred in the Borough during the year, but one contact of a
case occurring on a ship, was notified from the Port Authorities when he was travelling into
Southall; he was kept under observation for the statutory period, but no smallpox developed.
On one occasion a patient apparently suffering from severe chicken pox was kept under
observation for a short period, and the services of a consultant in smallpox obtained. She
was found not to be suffering from this disease.
A constant service is maintained within the country whereby at very short notice a
smallpox consultant can be obtained to visit the home of any patient who comes under
suspicion, either through having symptoms suggestive of smallpox or because he may
have been in contact with other smallpox cases.
Vaccination
The figures for infant vaccination show some improvement in 1955 over the previous
year. The percentage of children receiving vaccination during their first year of life has
risen from 40.4 to 46.9, although there was no especial campaign for infant vaccination
carried out during the year. The re-vaccination figure has also risen, but that is not of
great value to the health of the community, as the majority of re-vaccinations are carried
out because families are leaving the country to emigrate to places where a vaccination
certificate is a compulsory requirement before entry.