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The commonest of the infectious diseases to be notified were measles
and whooping cough. 697 cases of measles occurred compared with 1,085
in 1951. The disease was mild generally, but one case proved fatal.
Tuberculosis
51 new cases of tuberculosis were reported compared with 49 in 1951.
There were 10 deaths compared with 13 in 1951.
It is gratifying to note that in October, 1952, the Chest Clinic at
Harts Hospital was able to extend its scope and to deal with patients from
all parts of the Borough. Previously persons living south of the Southend
Road were attending at Leyton. The present clinic is run on modern lines,
possessing all facilities for diagnosis and out-patient treatment. An
excellent liaison exists between the Chest Physician, Dr. Duff-Palmer, and
myself. Such a liaison is very necessary, as under the conditions of the
National Health Service Act, Regional Hospital Boards are responsible for
the work of diagnosis and treatment undertaken at Chest Clinics, while the
Local Authorities control preventive measures, including the work carried
out by the Tuberculosis Health Visitors.
Poliomyelitis
Eight cases of poliomyelitis were confirmed during the year, seven of
whom were normal residents of the Borough, the eighth, having been
diagnosed in Wanstead Hospital, being a man whose home was at Chadwell
Heath.
Six of the seven cases were in children whose ages ranged from 4 to
14, the seventh being an adult female aged 33. No case proved fatal and
there was no known contact between any two cases. All cases showed a
degree of paralysis, five being classified as mild, one as moderate, and one
as severe.
The Borough constituted part of an area for which arrangements had
been made early in the year by the Ministry of Health for a special pilot
survey to be conducted. The object of this survey was to obtain accurate
information regarding each case of poliomyelitis occurring, so that conclusions
might be drawn regarding the mode of spread of the disease. It
is understood that the result of the survey will be available at an early date.
Weather conditions
Mention must be made of the abnormal weather conditions during the
earlier part of December, when, in common with the whole Metropolitan
area, the Borough was enveloped in fog for five days. During the week
ending 13th December deaths registered in Wanstead and Woodford totalled
34, whereas in the previous week the figure was 15. In the County of
London these figures were 2,484 and 945 respectively. This comparatively
high death rate persisted, though to a lesser degree, during the two
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