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There were 12 cases of poliomyelitis, this being double the
number notified in 1954. Six of the twelve cases were non-paralytic.
Attention was first focussed on the disease towards the end of July
when a boy attending a day school in the Borough, but living outside,
developed a severe form of paralytic poliomyelitis. A number of
contacts, some of whom were unwell, were kept under close observation.
Activities of children attending the school were restricted
and some scouts who were about to go to Switzerland had their trip
postponed. Naturally many parents became very anxious and the
Health Department received many queries. Fortunately no spread
of the disease from this source occurred. The cases notified in the
Borough were widely scattered and, apart from 2 infant children
living under very poor circumstances in the Aldersbrook Camp, no
direct contact was established. The incidence gradually abated, the
last paralytic case being notified in early September. Five of the six
paralytic cases recovered completely with no residual handicap.
During September an outbreak of paratyphoid fever occurred
in a Metropolitan Borough. An employee at a bakery there who lived
in Woodford, was found to be a symptomless carrier of the
disease. The matter was reported to the Public Health Committee
who agreed to compensate the man during the period in which he
was forbidden to work. However, after 2 weeks, he obtained other
employment which was not concerned with the preparation or
handling of food.
Health Education
On page 24 the Chief Sanitary Inspector has given an account
of the Health Exhibition which was held in April in the Sir James
Hawkey Hall. This was the first occasion on which an exhibition
of this size, comprising various aspects of Public Health, was staged
in the Borough. I was impressed by the large attendances during the
3 days on which the exhibition took place and by the interest which
was shown by the public. At the conclusion of the exhibition one
felt that the time and labour which were expended had been well
worth while.
At its December meeting the Public Health Committee agreed
to the holding of a 2-day practical course for Health Visitors and
Sanitary Inspectors on "Visual Aids and their construction, public
speaking and group leadership." The course was sponsored by the
Central Council of Health Education who provided the material and
the lecturer. Sanitary Inspectors from neighbouring authorities were
invited to attend and the result was most successful.
My thanks are due to the Staff of the Public Health Department
for their co-operation throughout the year.
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