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7
food poisoning
There were no outbreaks of food poisoning. The number of cases confirmed was 39 compared with
47 in 1964.
measles
3,166 cases were notified compared with 1,373 in 1964. Some 2,900 of these were notified during
the first half of the year, after which the number fell away sharply, only some 200 being notified during the
second half of the year.
meningococcal infection
Three cases were notified, but one case was re-diagnosed meningitis.
ophthalmia neonatorum
There was no impairment of vision in the four cases of ophthalmia neonatorum.
poliomyelitis
It is pleasing to report that for the third year running there were no cases of polliomyelitis, which is
probably the result of the steady increase in the number of people protected against the disease.
puerperal pyrexia
Since 1st August 1961, puerperal pyrexia applies to any "febrile condition occurring in a woman in
whom a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit has occurred within 14 days after childbirth or miscarriage".
The number of cases notified (87) was less than in 1964 (129).
smallpox
There were no notified cases of smallpox. 76 contacts of the disease were kept under surveillance
for 21 days from the last date of contact.
In accordance with the International Sanitary Regulations, the signatures of doctors on 5,389 certificates
of vaccination were authenticated by the department.
typhoid and paratyphoid fever
There were no cases of Typhoid in Brent, but 15 local residents who were contacts of a case at a Holiday
Camp in Bognor were kept under surveillance for the required period. One case of Paratyphoid B in a male
adult was notified.
whooping cough
The incidence of whooping cough decreased in 1965 compared with the previous year. The case rate
was .24 per 1,000 population.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Health Education continues to play an essential role in the work of the Department. Concentration
has been directed within the clinics, schools and the home, although posters and leaflets were distributed
to libraries and other bodies during the year.
Posters on varied subjects have been regularly displayed in the clinics and leaflets supporting the
posters were made available to the public. Smoking and lung diseases, food diet and hygiene, immunisation,
and the need for all drugs to be kept under lock and key were particularly stressed. Four clinics were able
to show small displays.
Mothercraft sessions continued to hold interest in the 11 clinics conducting them. Some disadvantage
was felt in the loss of the services of the film projector and operator supplied by the late Middlesex County
Council, but filmstrips and other visual aids were used to supplement the talks. Doctors, midwives, and nurses
gave talks in addition to the health visitors. 149 classes were arranged.
All home visiting professional staff continued the work of health education in the course of their
visits.
There were 167 talks given at 27 schools, the majority being given in the Willesden part of the Borough.
Sixteen of these talks were on Smoking and lung disease and two on venereal disease. These two subjects
were also introduced during other talks where applicable e.g. "Respiratory Organs", "Personal Hygiene".
Previews of films "Women of Tomorrow" and "Brother for Susan" were seen by parents before being shown
to the children. A new film "From Boy to Man" for the older male was approved by school staff and used
in suitable schools. The film "Learning to Live" was used to great advantage in some schools, but owing
to its popularity, continues to be fairly hard to book.