View report page

SMALLPOX. No case of smallpox occurred in the Borough during 1958. Persons
arriving in the Borough from parts of the world where smallpox is prevalent, are kept
under observation till any chance of their developing the disease is over.
According to the returns 832 children under the age of one year were vaccinated
in 1958 as compared with 492 in 1957. Modern travel is such that the risk of importing
smallpox is ever present.
SCARLET FEVER. This disease continues to be mild but 62 cases were notified
during the year.
DIPHTHERIA. The Borough's freedom from diphtheria was maintained during the
year. The number of children under the age of one year who were immunised during 1958
was 900 as compared with 553 in 1957.
ERYSIPELAS. The number of notifications was 6 but no death was due to this
disease.
PNEUMONIA. Notifications of pneumonia were 45 as compared with 39 in 1957. Of
the total pneumonia deaths 85 per cent, occurred at age 65 and over.
MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION. No case was notified during the year.
EPIDEMIC ENCEPHALITIS. No notification was received during the year.
POST-INFECTIVE ENCEPHALITIS. Encephalitis is known to occur as a complication
of other infectious diseases, but no such case was notified during 1958.
POLIOMYELITIS. No case occurred during the year.
Inoculation against poliomyelitis was continued during the year, and 10,517
children, 426 adolescents and 397 expectant mothers were given two injections of vaccine.
At the end of the year 3,413 children have also had a third injection. Experience
has shown that reactions, local or general, to these inoculations are comparatively rare
TYPHOID FEVER. One case of typhoid fever was notified during the year. The infection
occurred during a visit to several countries in Europe.
PARATYPHOID FEVER. No notification was received during the year.
DYSENTERY. This disease shows great variations in prevalence from year to year
and from place to place. During the year 15 cases were notified, as compared with 7
in 1957.
The infection in all cases was of the Sonne type and the illness was mild in
practically every case. The mildness of the illness is such that medical advice is not
always sought, and unless the disease is kept constantly in mind, cases are likely to
be missed.
TUBERCULOSIS. During the year 74 notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis, and
7 notifications of non-pulmonary tuberculosis were received. Persons continue to be
certified as dying from tuberculosis who have not been notified during life, but it is
hoped that with the improved facilities for diagnosis and treatment now available, any
reluctance to seek investigation and treatment will disappear.

A permanent mass X-ray unit has been established at West Middlesex Hospital and
is open to the public without appointment. During the year 459 children were inoculated
with B.C. G. vaccine as a protection against tuberculosis.
9