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37.
Acute Poliomyelitis
It is most satisfactory to record that there was only a single
case of poliomyelitis in the borough, this case being of the paralytic
type; full recovery took place.
Vaccination against this disease, first introduced in 1956, has
expanded considerably; no less than 3,762 persons being vaccinated
compared to 1,249 in 1957. There were 123 reinforcing injections
given in addition.
Tuberculosis
17 new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and 1 case of non-pulmonary
tuberculosis were notified among residents during the year. There
were, in addition, 23 established cases of tuberculosis originally
acquired in other areas who moved into the district. Three persons
died from this condition.
Although the total number of fresh cases of tuberculosis in the
country generally has been falling each year for the past decade,
there are no grounds for complacency when it is remembered that in
1958 this number was 26,595.
B.C.G. vaccination of school children resulted in 300 children
being protected out of 539 whose parents were asked to give consent.
The Walthamstow and Chingford Association of Tuberculosis Care
Helpers gave assistance wherever possible to patients and their
families who suffered financial loss through the need for prolonged
treatment at home or in hospital. This assistance was mostly in
the form of groceries, fuel, clothing and holidays. The contribution
which the Chingford Borough Council makes annually to this Association
is very much appreciated.
Dysentery
A small outbreak of dysentery at one of the schools in the borough
in the early part of the year accounted for the 23 cases which were
notified.
This disease, Which is mild, has a great nuisance value,
necessitating absence from school for a considerable number of
children. It has been found that the segregation of healthy carriers
has done little to control the spread of infection - good results are
much more likely to ensue by a rigid attention to personal hygiene,
more particularly the washing of hands after each visit to the toilet
and before preparing or eating food.