View report page

25
The figures show that the incidence of measles has been high
during each of the last three years. They also show the mildness
of modern measles. Of the ten years shown, there were six years
in which no death occurred.

These figures show that, although there was a very widespread
epidemic in 1950, there was no death due to whooping cough in
either of the last two years.
Details regarding the special investigation, in collaboration
with the Medical Research Council, are given on page 85.
POLIOMYELITIS ("INFANTILE PARALYSIS")
From the standpoint of poliomyelitis prevalence, the last eleven
years may be divided in two periods—the war years (1940-45) and
the post-war years (1946-50).
In the first period were four years when no case was notified;
and in the only year (1942) when cases occurred, only five cases
were notified.
On the other hand, as can be seen by consulting the figures,
no post-war year has been free from poliomyelitis; and in three
of these years the incidence has been such as to justify the prevalence
being regarded as exceptional—1947 (14 cases), 1949 (20
cases) and 1950 (14 cases).
Fuller information regarding the 1950 cases is available on
page 28.