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8
During the year the Puerperal Pyrexia Regulations, 1951
came into force. These replaced in London the Public Health
(Notifications of Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia)
Regulations of 1926 and 1928, and gave a revised definition
of Puerperal Pyrexia.
Local Authorities remained responsible for investigating
the causation and course of outbreaks, but the Minister of
Health has suggested that in Counties this investigation can
best be made by the County Medical Officer of Health, in view
of the County Council's special responsibilities as local health
authority for the Maternity Services.
LEPROSY
The Public Health (Leprosy) Regulations, 1951, require
medical practitioners to notify cases of Leprosy direct to the
Ministry of Health.
CANCER OF LUNG AND BRONCHUS
The incidence of malignant neoplasms of the lung and
bronchus has been the subject of recent investigation.
In the absence of notification of these conditions, accurate
data is not available, but the following information has been
obtained in respect of deaths of Southwark residents since
1946, and it may be interesting to compare these with local
Respiratory Tuberculosis deaths:—

The highest mortality rate from neoplasms of the lung and
bronchus occurred in the over-45 age group, and it is also
interesting to observe from the occupations involved that
there is no unduly high rate for industrial workers.
INFLUENZA
A severe epidemic struck most of the country early in the
year and caused the Ministry to issue a general alert. Careful
watch was kept on local figures, and contact maintained with