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9
care and attention were investigated, but formal action under this
section of the Act was taken only in one instance. This was the case
of an elderly woman living alone in a small house. Neighbours
noticed that she had failed to take in her milk and informed the Health
Department. When entry was gained she was found to be in a very
neglected state and quite incapable of caring for herself. In the
circumstances application was made for a Removal Order under the
National Assistance Amendment Act, 1951 and she was removed to
Grove Road Hospital.
In hospital she improved in general health but it became clear
that she would never again be fit enough to return home and care for
herself. However, she retained the tenancy of her house, and continued
to insist that she would soon return home; accordingly, an
extension of the Order was applied for and obtained. Soon after that
she became fit enough to be transferred to Part III accommodation in
the adjacent Old People's Home, Kingsmead, but this could not be
done without applying to the Court for a variation of the Order. By
the time this was arranged she was again in poor health and the matter
was dropped. She has now been occupying a hospital chronic sick bed
since early in May, and for a considerable part of this time her health
has been such that she could have been cared for in Part III accommodation.
There would appear to be a weakness in the Act in so far as
transfer from one type of accommodation to another cannot be
effected without formal application to the Court.
SECTION 'F' — PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER,
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES
Measles.
Following the epidemic of 1959 there were only 8 cases in 1960
and these were only of moderate severity.
Whooping Cough.
Only 16 cases were notified and these were not severe enough to
require admission to hospital. The majority of infants are immunized
against this disease and this is helping substantially to reduce the
incidence and mortality rate.
Poliomyelitis.
There was not a single case of this disease during the year. I
think that it is reasonable to believe that the very high proportion of
children immunized is largely responsible for this very satisfactory
state of affairs.