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As far as infectious diseases are concerned, the most notable feature
of the past year has been the rise in the number of cases of measles
notified. Measles is a disease normally occurring in epidemics every
other year and there would normally have been a decrease in notifications
in 1954. This took place, however, to such an extent that the
number of susceptible children in the population was very large and the
disease swept through the whole country in the early months of 1955.
Fortunately, it is no longer the serious disease it once was, partly due
no doubt to chemotherapeutic agents, partly to improved health of the
child population, possibly due to decreased virulence. In Hornsey
and Tottenham in 1955 there were 1,624 cases notified but no deaths
were recorded.
Only one case of diphtheria occurred during the year; fortunately
the organism was not virulent and the child had a very mild infection.
Poliomyelitis has been widespread in this country during the past
year, although, fortunately, with an unusual preponderance of nonparalytic
cases. In Tottenham and Hornsey there were 13 cases confirmed,
of which three were paralytic, with no deaths. At no time
was it found necessary to stop the immunisation campaign.
There was only one important outbreak of dysentery in the schools
in 1955, namely, at Stroud Green School where, as is usual, it affected
mainly the infant and junior departments. The expedient followed in
recent years was used again, namely, the twice daily disinfection of
toilet seats and chains coupled with extra attention by the teacher
concerned to the washing of hands by the children after the use of
toilets. The outbreak was quickly brought under control.