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Destination addresses in this borough
were given by 668 immigrants but in 140
cases it was found that the immigrant had
not arrived at the address given
Fever hospital
The borough is served by the South Middlesex
Hospital but on occasions accommodation
in other fever hospitals may be used During
the year 98 patients from the borough were
admitted as suffering from or suspected to
be suffering from infectious disease Close
contact is maintained between the hospitals
and the department of health so that any
necessary action can be taken without delay
In accordance with the Public Health
(Infectious Diseases) Regulations 458
admissions to the South Middlesex Hospital
of persons residing outside the borough were
referred to the department in addition to
those living in the borough
Disinfection
Where necessary, disinfection of rooms is
carried out by the department During the
year 9 rooms were disinfected and six lots
of clothing were similarly treated before
being sent abroad to countries where a
certificate of disinfection is required
e g Yugoslavia Russia and other Eastern
European countries
Cleansing of verminous persons and their
clothing
No steam disinfecting or cleansing centre
is provided in this borough but arrangements
have continued for the use of the Disinfecting
Station and Medicinal Baths Scotts Road
Shepherds Bush W 12 provided by the
London Borough of Hammersmith The
borough council accepts responsibility for
payment of each treatment etc for residents
referred to the centre
During 1969, 49 persons were treated and
in addition bedding and clothing was disinfected
in 1 case
Venereal Disease
The nearest hospitals with venereal disease
clinics are West Middlesex Central Middlesex
Hillingdon and West London Hospitals
Spread of the disease is in the main due to
promiscuity and while there can be no doubt
that competent treatment by shortening the
duration of infectivity in the individual case
acts in restraint of the spread of venereal
disease there is a lack of evidence that the
work of the clinics is succeeding in signi
ficantly reducing the total incidence The
best prospect for control is in the instruction
of the public as to the serious character of
such infections aided by education and social
progress, together with the promotion of
athletics and other wholesome recreations
for the young people of to-day especially
those living in densely populated urban
communities Mr Duffy the Borough s Health
Education Officer has already made a
considerable contribution to the instruction
of vulnerable young people in our schools and
colleges on all aspects of health and hygiene
inclusive of appropriate education on the
nature of sex and venereal diseases It is
considered that such knowledge should be
given as part of general health education
before the sexual aspects of life have much
emotional association Efforts too are being
redoubled to encourage people who have
taken risks of infection to come for examination
and early treatment so that potential
cases can be dealt with without long delay
in a sympathetic manner and the identification
of contacts and others who may be involved
in the spread of the disease can be initiated
Both the prevention of disease and the
maintenance of full health depend in a large
measure on the way people live and conduct
their lives in a society in which extramarital
intercourse is regarded by an increasing
number as a normal and permissible activity
though in the words for Sir George Godber
Chief Medical Officer of the Department of
Health and Social Security to avoid moral
obloquy concealment is still a common
problem
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