View report page

WANSTEAD AND WOODFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL.
To the mayor, the aldermen and councillors,
borough of wanstead and woodford
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report as Medical Officer of
Health for the year 1947.
Two events of major importance affecting the work of the Public
Health Apartment took place during the year.
The first of these was the flooding of the reservoirs at the Lea Bridge
Waterworks in March with consequent pollution of water in the mains,
With the result that main water supply was completely cut off in all parts
of the Borough for 10-14 days. On receipt of information from the
Metropolitan Water Board regarding the occurrence, pamphlets warning
Householders that all water for drinking or other domestic purposes should
be boiled prior to use were printed and delivered to all houses in the
Borough Within 24 hours. Advice was also given as regards improvised
sanitation and a supply of disinfectant obtained and held at the Public
Health Dopartment for collection by householders. An emergency water
Supply delivered by tanks on lorries was brought into action by the
Metropolitan Water Board with whom the Sanitary Staff of the Department
co-operated closely. During the period of emergency frequent visits were
made to schools, cinemas, etc., to supervise sanitary measures. Most fortunately
no cases of epidemic infectious disease occurred as the result of
this crisis.
In common with the remainder of the country, the Borough was
affected by the outbreak of Poliomyelitis which occurred during the late
summer and early autumn. This disease is commonly known as "Infantile
Paralysis" a misnomer as it affects all age groups in the first half of life.
There Were ten cases among residents in the Borough ranging from the
age of six months to 38 years. Two infants under one year were affected,
two children of school age and the remainder of ages, varying from eighteen
upwards. Luckily none of these cases proved fatal. Children and young
persons becoming sick during the period of the outbreak were regarded
as “suspect"; they were kept under close observation, some being admitted
to the Waltham Joint Isolation Hospital for expert supervision. A close
check was made on the contacts of proved and suspect cases. One of the
most difficult tasks which had to be coped with by the Health Visitors and
Sanitary Inspectors was dealing with the very natural apprehension prevalent
among so many parents regarding this most dreaded disease. Our task was
greatly simplified by the co-operation which was maintained between General
Practitioners and the staff of the Isolation Hospital with the Public Health
Department.
Apart from the outbreak referred to above, and except for measles,
the incidence of infectious disease remained low, and compared favourably
with Previous years. Only one case of Diphtheria occurred, this being a
mild one in a member of the Staff of Dr. Barnardo's Homes who had
3