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TUBERCULOSIS. During the year 37 notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis,
and 9 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.

This is the lowest tuberculosis death rate in the Borough records.
A permanent mass X-ray unit has been established at West Middlesex
Hospital and is open to the public without appointment. During the year 626
children were inoculated with B. C. G. vaccine as a protection against tuberculosis.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM. No case was notified during the year.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA, During the year 87 cases were notified as compared
with 127 cases in 1963. No woman died from puerperal or post-abortion sepsis
and none of the infections was severe. All the cases occurred in hospital.
MEASLES. This was not a year of measles prevalence and 331 cases were
notified as compared with 886 in 1963.
WHOOPING COUGH. There were 52 cases of whooping cough notified as compared
with 59 cases in 1963. Facilities for immunisation against this disease are
available, and 383 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 arid the
patients had recently returned from overseas.
INFLUENZA. Influenza caused no death as compared with 4 deaths in 1963.
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 195,
Chickenpox 263, and German Measles 12.
TETANUS. Protection is provided against this disease and during the year
445 babies were imnunised.
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,
147 patients from the Borough were admitted to these hospitals. Clase 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 11 rooms and 4 lots of bedding were
disinfected and 5 lots destroyed, Seven lots of clothing were disinfected before
being sent abroad.
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