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PUERPERAL PYREXIA. During the year 127 cases were notified as compared with 95
cases in 1962. No woman died from puerperal or post-abortion sepsis and none of the infections
was severe. All the cases, except three, arose in hospital.
MEASLES. This was a year of measles prevalence and 886 cases were notified as compared
with 207 in 1962.
WHOOPING COUGH. There were 59 cases of whooping cough notified as compared with
3 cases in 1962. Facilities for immunisation against this disease are available, and 401
babies were inoculated. The condition is most fatal in young babies, and protection should
be provided before the child is six months old. There is evidence that the protection, if
not complete, does mitigate the severity of the attack.
MALARIA. Two cases of malaria were notified during the year and the patients had
recently returned from overseas.
INFLUENZA. Influenza caused 4 deaths as compared with 9 deaths in 1962.
MUMPS, CHICKENPOX GERMAN MEASLES. These diseases are not notifiable, but cases
are brought to the notice of the Department through schools, health visitors, etc. During
the year, the following cases were recorded:- Mumps 109, Chickenpox 128, and German
Measles 39.
FEVER HOSPITALS. The Borough is served by the South Middlesex Infectious Diseases
Hospital, but on occasion, accommodation in other fever hospitals of the North West Metropolitan
Regional Hospital Board is used. During the year, 195 patients from the Borough
were admitted to these hospitals. Close contact is maintained between the hospitals and
the Health Department, so that any necessary action can be taken.
DISINFECTION. The disinfection of bedding, etc. in cases of smallpox is done at the
South Middlesex Infectious Diseases Hospital, while the disinfection of homes and bedding
in other cases is carried out by the disinfectors on the Health Department staff. During
the year 4 rooms and 1 lot of bedding were disinfected and 7 lots destroyed Six lots
of clothing were disinfected before being sent abroad.
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
1963 was 609. The number of specimens sent to the laboratory is governed largely by the
incidence of gastro-intestinal illnesses.
FOOD POISONING. During 1963 notifications of the occurrence of food poisoning in
77 persons were received, but after investigation only 20 were accepted as food poisoning.
In two cases the infecting organisms were isolated. No death was associated with food
poisoning. During the year salmonella infection, not food borne, was found in 2 persons.
HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER AUTHORITIES
NORTH-WEST METROPOLITAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL BOARD. Two general hospitals (West
Middlesex, 1,150 beds and Hounslow, 81 beds) and one fever hospital (South Middlesex, 140
beds) are situated in the Borough. Part of the accommodation in the fever hospital is
used for other cases. The West Middlesex and South Middlesex Hospitals are controlled by
the South West Middlesex Hospital Management Committee, while Hounslow Hospital and the
Chest Clinic are the responsibility of the Staines Group Hospital Management Committee.
The Regional Hospital Board provides the specialist services of the hospitals and for
domiciliary consultations.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY COUNCIL-HEALTH DEPARTMENT. The County Council is the Local
Health Authority under the National Health Service Act, 1946. The following services are
provided in the Borough:-
(a) Ante-natal and post natal clinics Monday morning and Thursday
92 Bath Road, Hounslow afternoon
Busch Corner, Isleworth Tuesday afternoon
New Heston Road Thursday afternoon
(b) Infant Welfare Clinics Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
92, Bath Road, Hounslow and Friday afternoons
Busch Corner, Isleworth Monday and Wednesday afternoons
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