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2,367) there, .being fewer children who had. not already received treatment.
An enquiry at the end of the year elicited that of the
children under .15 years 75% of the children attending local private
schools, 77% attending the Public Elementary and 78% of the
Secondary School children had been treated.
In the case of the children under 5 years of age it was
estimated, that at the end of the year 30% had been treated. This
percentage is somewhat misleading in that treatment is only rarely
commenced before children are 1 year old Disregarding the children
under 1 year it is thought that 41% of the remainder had been
immunised. With a floating population, however, it is difficult to
obtain a very accurate figure and it may be that this is too conservative
an estimate, but attention continues to be centred on this
age group.
The use of Toxin Antitoxin Floccules was continued throughout
the year and it is very exceptional for any disturbance to follow
which can be attributed to this preparation. The necessity for a
third visit is a disadvantage but the percentage not completing
treatment is very small indeed.
The general practice of Schick testing all children over 3
years of age about 6 months after completing treatment has been continued,
but in view of the recommendation of the Ministry of Health
to give an additional or "boosting" dose to all immunised children
when entering school, this procedure may be modified in the near
future, both test and dose being given at about 4½ years of age.
NON-NOTIFIABLE DISEASE.
The chief sources of information as to the prevalence of the
group of non-notifiable infectious diseases are the death returns and
notifications from Head Teachers of the Public Elementary Schools.
From the former it is noted that only 8 deaths from Influenza
occurred, which confirms the impression that this disease was not very
prevalent in a severe form. One infant death from Enteritis occurred
in May.
From the school returns it appears that Chicken Pox was
fairly prevalent in the early months of the year, reaching its peak
in May, Old Coulsdon and Purley being chiefly affected.
Cases of Mumps occurred throughout the year but only became
very noticeable at Reedham in March and Kenley from October to December.
Isolated cases of Conjunctivitis and German Measles only
were noted.
INFECTIVE JAUNDICE.
The department became aware of a number of cases of Infective
Jaundice in the latter half of 1942, chiefly through the day nurseries
where a considerable proportion of the children and staff were
affected. Among the children the disease was usually mild, some only
showing slight diarrhoea or alteration in the colour of urine or
faeces without recognisable jaundice. Among adults the attacks were
much more acute and cases appeared latterly to occur at intervals of
about 5 weeks.
SCABIES.
Attention became focussed on the increasing prevalence of
Scabies among the population of the Country towards the end of 1941.
During that year 7 cases had been notified by the Public Elementary
Schools and had received treatment through the School Clinics. The
well known method of treatment by inunction with sulphur ointment
after hot baths, together with steam disinfection of clothing and
bedding was found often to result in prolonged absence from school,
while dermatitis was frequently caused by the prolonged uncontrolled
use of sulphur. Realising that the disease was becoming more prevalent,
though often unrecognised, more attention was given to other
members of affected households, the Medical Officer of Health visiting
personally and encouraging the treatment of all suspects and contacts,
providing extra soap vouchers, etc. Some 70 cases were thus treated
between January and April 1942.
Contemporaneously newer methods of treatment were
introduced, including derris powder, which had the advantages of
being cleaner to use and cheap. The results, however, were not
very encouraging until, with the introduction of benzyl benzoate
and the publication of valuable research work, it was decided to
establish a treatment centre at the Coulsdon First Aid Post where