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The care of the aged still occupies a considerable part of the work
of the department. In this, the able assistance of the ladies of the W.V.S.,
under the effective guidance of Mrs. O. L. Wiles, together with the close
co-operation of the geriatric department at St. Helier Hospital, has proved
invaluable in bringing some relief and comfort to the numerous old
persons falling on ill-health and poverty in the district, and for whom no
other source of help is available. The Wallington Old People's Welfare
Committee, under the chairmanship of Councillor Mrs. V. M. Boyce,
continued their admirable social work for the old people. The number
of aged, who have no-one to care for them, and for whom institutional
care has to be provided, appears to be increasing. Many of these elderly
persons were found to be living in extreme discomfort and insanitary
conditions, and were unable to devote to themselves, and were not
receiving from other persons, proper care and attention. Where it was
found necessary, admission to an institution was arranged forthwith.
On page 39 will be found a table setting out the incidence of infectious
diseases, other than tuberculosis, during 1954. From this, it will be
observed that the number of cases of infectious disease notified during
the year was very low indeed. All the major infections, particularly
measles and whooping-cough, were at a remarkably low level, with
measles at 16 cases, as compared with 454 in 1953, and whooping-cough
at 53 as compared with 159 in 1953.
No cases of poliomyelitis were notified, and none of food poisoning.
It is interesting to note that 1954 was a year in which the rainfall was
particularly high and temperatures recorded were generally low. Whether
this accounted for the low incidence of zymotic diseases Or not, is a matter
for conjecture. It is generally noted, however, that poliomyelitis seems
to thrive in hot dry weather, and the cold wet summer may have been
responsible in part for the absence of the disease in some districts.
In former reports, mention has been made of the advances to be
anticipated from further research following the discovery of methods
of growing the poliomyelitis virus. The unfortunate experiences, which
have so far been recorded in the use of the Salk vaccine, would appear
at first glance to be something of a setback. The experience gained,
however, has convinced the British research workers that the best hope
of a vaccine for universal use in immunising against poliomyelitis will
be found by cultivating strains of attenuated, or weak, viruses rather
than making use of the virulent strains as was done with the Salk vaccine.
It is understood that the Medical Research Council in England are
actively pursuing this line, and we may still hope that in due course a
suitable vaccine will be available.
In the meantime, in the absence of an immunisation technique, the
general public are constantly asking what else can be done to prevent,
or limit, the incidence of poliomyelitis. As the father of seven young
children, I can readily appreciate the emotional concern of parents when
faced with the possibility of poliomyelitis attacking any one of their
youngsters. In a recent article in the British Medical Journal, Dr. T.
Anderson, Reader in Infectious Diseases, Glasgow University, says,
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