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33
Acute Poliomyelitis
It is a pleasure to record that there were no confirmed cases
of poliomyelitis notified in Chingford during 1951.
Tuberculosis
The number of fresh cases of Tuberculosis, pulmonary and nonpulmonary,
notified during 1951 was 50. In addition, 11 persons
previously suffering from tuberculosis, moved into this district.
Dysentery.
An outbreak of dysentery (Sonn6 type) occurred in the borough
in the spring of 1951. Of the 39 persons involved, 11 cases were among
children and staff of one of the Day Nurseries.
I was anxious that, if at all possible, the Nursery should
remain open and consulted with the Area Medical Officer, Forest Division
Essex County Council, as the Nursery was under the control of the latter
It was decided that the following administrative procedure should be
adopted for thewith: specimens were taken from all staff and children.
All positive cases were excluded and referred to their own doctor for
treatment. All remaining staff and children were given prophylactic
treatment with Succinylsulphathiazole which, I am pleased to report,
aborted this local outbreak and thus permitted the Nursery to remain
open. This was a great boon to many anxious mothers.
All 39 cases made a rapid recovery from their illness.
Food Poisoning.
Only 5 persons were notified to the Health Department as
suffering from food poisoning during 1951. The source of infection
was not traced. All made a rapid recovery from their illness.
Food Hygiene.
Several, lectures, supported by films, dealing with cleanliness
in the preparation and handling of food, were given to Associations in
the Borough during the year. They were very much appreciated by the
housewives who attended.
Smallpox Contacts
Several persons who had arrived in Chingford from abroad, from
areas where smallpox was prevalent, were kept under surveillance -until
the danger period was passed.
Vaccination
Number of primary vaccinations during the year - 326
Number of re-vaccinations during the year - 99