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One case of typhoid fever in a boy aged 14 was recorded. The
disease was contracted while on holiday in Eire. Fortunately he was
the only member of his family to be affected and his recovery was
uneventful.
In the early part of the year an outbreak of food poisoning occurred
at a school in the Borough, about 150 pupils and staff being affected.
The organism responsible for the disease, a staphylococcus, was
isolated from a sample of boiled beef and carrots which had formed
part of a school meal. Following an inspection of the canteen staff
it was noted that the canteen supervisor had a septic finger; a scraping
from this finger produced a similar organism to that found in the
meat and there is little doubt that this caused the outbreak. Contrary
to repeated instructions the meat concerned had been cooked
and re-heated. It is proving extremely difficult to eradicate this
practice which is a most dangerous one, the re-heated meat constituting
a favourable breeding ground for bacteria. In canteens
and restaurants where this method of cooking is the rule, there is
almost certain to be an outbreak of food poisoning sooner or later.
Fortunately in this instance all cases were mild and symptoms of
short duration.
There was a further fall in the notifications of Tuberculosis. 27
cases being reported (32 in 1956). There were 3 deaths ( 7 in 1956).
During the past decade, mainly due to the use of new drugs, the fall
in the incidence of this disease has been dramatic. However, despite
this, there are no grounds for complacency and every effort must
still be made to segregate and treat the sputum positive case.
National Health Service Act: Part 111 Services
Details of those services administered by the Essex Countv Council
through the Forest Area Health Sub-Committee are given in
Section G.
Attendances at the Infant Welfare Centres continued to increase.
Owing to a rise in the child population in the northern end of the
Borough a seventh centre was opened at All Saints Church Hall,
Woodford Wells. It is a matter of regret that Wanstead and Woodford
is almost the only part of the Forest Health Area with a density of
population in which a modern Health Services Clinic has still to be
established as, despite repeated efforts, it has not been possible to
obtain a suitable site.
An account of the immunisation campaign against poliomyelitis
is given. Much delay and disappointment occurred owing to postponement
of supply and irregular delivery of vaccine. At the time
of writing I am pleased to say that almost immediate innoculation
can be given to any child between the ages of 6 months and 15 years.
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