London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Southall 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]
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PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS
AND OTHER DISEASES
There was a drop in the total number of notifications of infectious diseases during 1958,
but the usual reduction expected, because of the characteristic variations of measles which
in the past has only assumed epidemic form every alternate year, did not occur. The number
of measles cases was almost as great in 1958 as in 1957, and this persistence suggests either
a change in the character of the infection or an absence of the immunisation in the community
which seems to occur during most outbreaks of infectious disease. The incidence of measles
seemed to continue throughout most of the year also, which was another rather unusual
characteristic. This, of course, may have been due to the fact that there was no recognisable
warm summer spell during the whole of 1958.
There was a slight rise in the incidence of dysentery and food poisoning. Scarlet fever
seems to be showing a slight tendency to revive. The numbers of notifications have been
increasing though not greatly in the past couple of years. There were no notifications of
diphtheria, and the number of poliomyelitis notifications dropped from three in 1957 to one
in 1958. This case, however, was confirmed as paralytic poliomyelitis.
Monthly Bulletins of Incidence of Infectious Disease
These bulletins were circulated monthly to all general practitioners in the Borough,
and, in addition to information with regard to infectious diseases occurring during the
previous month, any topical matter, or incident of mutual interest to general practitioners
and the Public Health Service, was also included.
Measles incidence fell during the year 1958. There were no deaths from measles. The following table shows the trend of notifications during the past ten years.
| Year | No. of Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 194 | ||
| 1950 | 701 | - |
| 1951 | - | |
| 1952 | 528 | |
| 1953 | ||
| 1954 | 41 | - |
| 1955 | ||
| 1956 | 61 | |
| 1957 | 674 | |
| 1958 | 476 |
From these figures it can be seen that the figures for the two past years together make
a total approximating to the peaks of 1955, 1953, and I951.
Poliomyelitis
One notification of suspected anterior poliomyelitis was received in 1958. The disease
was confirmed as paralytic poliomyelitis—the paralysis being widespread, all limbs, chest,
back were affected. The patient, a young adult male not immunised against poliomyelitis,
made some progress, but was still in hospital at the end of the year. After three months
illness he was, however, by that time able to do without his respirator.
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