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Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—No case of this infection of the eyes of young babies was reported
during the year.
Puerperal Pyrexia.—This condition is defined as "any febrile condition occurring in a woman
within 21 days after childbirth or miscarriage in which a temperature of 100.4 degrees F. or more has been
sustained during a period of 24 hours or has recurred during that period." Such a febrile condition, no
matter what is the cause, is notifiable so that appropriate action can be taken if investigation suggests
that the condition is likely to be puerperal fever. During the year 16 cases were notified but no woman
died from puerperal or post-abortion sepsis.
Measles.—This disease was less prevalent than in 1948 and caused no deaths. Admission to
hospital was arranged for 46 cases.
Whooping Cough.—The incidence of this disease was not so great as in 1948, and no death was
due to whooping cough. Admission to hospital was arranged for 12 cases.
Malaria.—One case was notified during 1949 and on enquiry it was shown to be a relapse; the
original infection having been acquired overseas.
Influenza.—No epidemic of influenza occurred during 1949 and the deaths due to this disease were
6 as compared with 5 in 1948 and 8 in 1947.
Mumps, Chicken Pox, German Measles.—These diseases are not notifiable, but cases are brought
to the attention of the Department through schools, health visitors, etc. The following numbers of cases
were recorded during 1949:—mumps 85; chicken pox 61; and german measles 5.
Fever Hospitals.—The Borough is served by the South Middlesex Infectious Diseases Hospital
and during the year 209 patients from the Borough were admitted as cases of infectious disease. Close
contact is maintained between the hospital and the Health Department so that any necessary action can
be taken.
Disinfection.—The disinfection of bedding, etc., is done at the South Middlesex Infectious Diseases
Hospital while the disinfection of homes is carried out by the disinfectors on the Health Department staff.
In 1946, after considering a report on the subject, the Council decided to stop terminal disinfection of
rooms and bedding "except in cases of smallpox or where the Medical Officer of Health considers such
disinfection to be advisable." Twenty-six rooms and four hospital wards were disinfected during 1949.
Laboratory.—Certain routine bacteriological work is done in the laboratory at the Health Department.
When more detailed investigation is required specimens are sent to the National Public Health
Laboratory Service. The number of specimens examined during 1949 was 254.
Food Poisoning.—Section 17 (1) of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, states: "If a registered
medical practitioner becomes aware, or suspects, that a patient whom he is attending within the district
of any local authority is suffering from food poisoning, he shall forthwith send to the medical officer of
health of that district a certificate stating—
(a) the name, age and sex of the patient, and the address of the premises where the patient is; and
(b) particulars of the food poisoning from which he is, or is suspected to be, suffering."
Experience suggests that all medical practitioners do not recall this statutory obligation to notify
actual or suspected cases of food poisoning and certainly the importance of notification "forthwith" is not
realised. If the Health Department is to have a real chance of tracing the origin and source of food
poisoning they should be on the job as soon as food poisoning is suspected. During 1949 notifications
of the occurrence of food poisoning in 11 persons was received and information from sources other than
notifications by medical practitioners was received concerning 150 cases, while a further two cases were
found during investigations into these outbreaks.
Some details of these outbreaks are set out in tabular form overleaf. Much time and effort
was devoted to tracing the source of infection in these outbreaks but in most cases with little success.
The Public Health Laboratory Service has recently published (Mon. Bull, Min. of Hlth., 1950, 9,148)
particulars of 3,495 food poisoning incidents investigated during 1941-48. In 91 per cent. of these incidents
salmonella organisms were isolated. The source of infection in most of these incidents was not traced,
but as these organisms are found in the intestines of man and certain animals and may be present without
giving rise to symptoms the importance of personal hygiene among food handlers must again be emphasized.
Washing of the hands after using the toilet is essential and would do much to reduce the risks of food
poisoning.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES
Water Supply.—The water supply of the Borough is derived almost wholly from the Metropolitan
Water Board. A small portion of the Cranford area is supplied by the South-West Suburban Water
Company. There are 41 shallow wells in use in the Borough. They serve 22 houses and 21 business
premises, and at 29 of the premises (11 houses and 18 business) an alternative supply from the mains is
available. The water from 6 wells is known to be unsatisfactory, but as new housing and industrial development
is taking place in the vicinity it is hoped to replace these wells by a main supply at an early date.
The following work in connection with water supplies was carried out during the year:—
Supplies provided or reinstated 29
Cisterns cleansed, repaired, etc. 9
Draw-off taps connected direct to main 6
Service pipes or taps repaired 31
Cases where mains supply substituted for well supply Nil
Samples taken from wells for analysis 1
Samples taken from mains for analysis 2
Wells abolished Nil
9