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37.
Whooping Cough
There were 26 notifications of this disease.
Immunisation against this condition has been available at
all clinics in the borough since 1953, or through family doctors.
294 children received a full course of immunisation in 1959.
Acute Poliomyelitis
Again it is most satisfactory to report that there was only
a single case of poliomyelitis in the borough: this was of the
non-paralytic type.
Vaccination against this disease was accepted by 5,559 persons,
whilst 5,424 persons received reinforcing injections.
Tuberculosis
There were 21 new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and 1 of
non-pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, 20 persons already
suffering from tuberculosis (18 pulmonary, 2 non-pulmonary) took
up residence here from other districts.
Although the number of fresh cases of pulmonary tuberculosis
is declining each year in England and Wales, this condition presents
a major public health problem. Every endeavour must be made to
discover the unknown cases in the community, particularly among
elderly persons who, for the most part, are reluctant to attend
at clinics or other centres for chest x-ray examinations.
B.C.G-. vaccination of school children resulted in 410 children
being protected out of 800 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
There were 16 cases. The annual prevalence of this disease,
widespread throughout England and Wales, indicates a weak link in
personal hygiene, usually a failure to wash the hands after each
visit to the toilet or before preparing and eating food