London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Sutton and Cheam 1958

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton and Cheam]

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age, five thousand one hundred and ninety four, representing 49
per cent had been effectively immunised by receiving primary or
reinforcing injections within the past five years; and three
thousand one hundred and eighty four, representing 30 per cent.,
who had been previously immunised, were In need of reinforcement.
Measles, One hundred and thirty cases were notified in 1950,
compared with six hundred and seventy seven cases in 1957, The
case rate was 1.04 per thousand of population, compared with 5.76
per thousand of population for England and Wales, There was no
death. Sixty nine of the cases occurred during the third quarter
of the year.

The monthly incidence of notified cases is shown in the following table -

January4July43
February14August23
March6September3
April4October-
May6November3
June20December4

There is often difficulty in recognising the early catarrhal
signs of illness. Measles commences like a common cold with a
rise of temperature, running of the nose, an occasional sneeze,
watering of the eyes and a slight sore throat. The child is
usually out of sorts and disinclined for food or play. After
three to five days the rash appears. The catarrhal phase is highly
infectious, Prevention of infection requires early recognition of
the symptoms and early isolation It isimportant that babies and
weakly children should be protected from acquiring infection.
Isolation should be continued until all symptoms and signs have
disappeared. The danger of complications by secondary infection
has been reduced by the Judicious use of Sulphonamldes and antibiotics,
but there is sometimes an exceptional child who reacts
badly to this virus infection and careful nursing and careful
convalescence are always necessary The illness can be prevented
or modified by the injection of gamma globulin early in the
incubation period, A small quantity is available to doctors for
cases of special risk, Health visitors are informed of notified
cases of children under five years of age so that they may give
advice where necessary
Whooping Cough. Fourteen cases were notified in 1958,
compared with eighty six cases in 1957, The case rate was 0.18
per thousand of population, compared with 0,74 per thousand of
population for England and Wales There was no death.
The general Incidence was very low Seven of the cases were
infants under five years of age and three were under one year.
The monthly incidence of notified cases is shown in the
following table -
39