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Following the occurrence of a case of smallpox in a neighbouring
borough, it was discovered that there were three contacts living in
this area. All were kept under daily surveillance during the incubation
period and all remained in good health.
Seventeen cases of persons arriving in the district without a valid
International Certificate of Vaccination were also kept under surveillance
for the required period.
Food Poisoning
Three notified cases were confirmed during the year, one of
salmonella typhimurium, one of salmonella derby and one unusual
case in which the organisms of salmonella typhimurium and salmonella
panama were both present. The first two cases were of short duration
but the last continued for more than three months.
Two cases of salmonella indiana, in infants living in the Borough
but diagnosed in a hospital outside the Borough, were also under
investigation. One started in August and one in November and neither
was clear at the end of the year. This is an infection which is generally
tenacious in the case of infants. The two cases are not connected,
so far as can be found.
TUBERCULOSIS
Chest Clinics
There are three chest clinics serving the Borough. All are based
at Cumberland Hospital, Mitcham. At these clinics the Tuberculosis
Health Visitors assist the Chest Physicians, and help and advise the
patients. They do Mantoux tests and follow-up contacts on patients
who fail to attend. During 1967 the case load of Tuberculosis Health
Visitors was as follows:—
Cases of tuberculosis 569
Lung carcinoma cases 68
Other cases (bronchitis, bronchiectasis, etc.) 116

Domiciliary Visiting
Home visiting is very important. Chest patients have many
queries and difficulties which the Tuberculosis Health Visitor helps
to solve, and she also gives advice on matters of hygiene and the essential
examination of contacts. The number of tuberculosis households
visited during the year was 314.
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