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There was a welcome fall in the number of new cases of
tuberculosis, which was 34 as compared with 48 in the previous
year. We now have at our disposal the means of entirely
eliminating this disease. The key lies in the early diagnosis and
treatment, using improved X-ray facilities (including Mass
Radiography) and modern drugs—aided by higher standards of
living, and vaccination of susceptible persons. It is encouraging
to note that the parents of 410 children (=69%) due for B.C.G.
vaccination under the Education Authority's scheme gave their
consent to the procedure, and those found to be susceptible (315)
were duly vaccinated.
The value and safety of B.C.G. vaccination now appear to be
well established: In their first (1956) progress report to the
Medical Research Council, the special committee set up in 1949
to conduct controlled investigations has stated that the incidence
of tuberculosis in 14,000 vaccinated children was 0.37 per thousand
per annum; whereas in 13,000 tuberculin—negative unvaccinated
children, the incidence was 1.94 per thousand per annum.
Complications of vaccination were few, and these were chiefly
confined to inflammation of local glands or slow healing of the
vaccination. It is, of course, not yet possible to give a reliable
opinion on the duration of the immunity provided by the vaccine.
NEW LEGISLATION
The Food and Drugs Act, 1955, which consolidates the 1938 Act
and its amending Acts, came into force on 1st January, 1956. The
new Act is considerably stronger than the old one and an important
feature is the issue of the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955,
which lays down a new higher standard for food premises.
SECTION 47, NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948 and
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1951
Four cases were investigated on reports received. Three of these
were found to be old ladies living alone, and in need of some
assistance and supervision, but not requiring action to be taken
under this Secfion at present. They are being kept under regular
observation.
The remaining case was, despite a Home Help and other
services, living in insanitary conditions and, though only 48 years
of age, judged to be incapable of looking after herself or her two
children because of infirmity. She refused to enter hospital, and
the Council, on my recommendation, therefore applied to the
Court for an Order for her compulsory removal to St. Margaret's
Hospital, Epping, under this Section, which was granted for a
period of 3 months. During this time, the two children were committed
to the care of the Essex County Council, and the house
and its contents were cleansed etc., under the provisions of
Sections 83 and 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
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