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Measles.
Of all specific diseases measles is the most common. Measles
became notifiable in London in 1938 and. since then all cases
which receive medical attention are made known to the Public
Health Department. The incidence of this disease does not
alter to any great extent but of late years its severity and
fatality have fallen considerably.
The number of confirmed cases of measles was 1,553 and
of these 870 cases occurred in children of one to five years of age.
Until July 5th, 1948, the home visiting of all cases of measles
was carried out by the Health Visitors. They were responsible
for ascertaining the source of infection, ensuring the isolation
of the case, and advising as to the hygiene of the sick room.
By arrangement with the London County Council, the health
visitors now undertake domiciliary visiting of cases of measles
in children under five years of age.
Whooping Cough.
Whooping cough is a very infectious disease with a high
mortality rate in children under the age of one year. Early
diagnosis with segregation of cases reduces the risk of infection
to other persons. Unfortunately parents do not always seek
medical advice when their children first have frequent spasms
of coughing during the day or night, but wait until the characteristic
whoop has developed, and the patient has been infectious
for some time. Of the 545 cases notified during the year three
died and four were not confirmed.
In recent years an attempt has been made to immunise
children against whooping cough. The injection for this purpose
is usually given in combination with the Diphtheria prophylactic.
This treatment is still in the experimental stage, but some
authorities claim to have obtained good results. The vaccine
should be given as early as possible in infancy as a large number
of deaths from this disease occur in the first year of life.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever.
Typhoid fever is becoming rare in this country. Paratyphoid
cases usually result from the consumption of food
contaminated by a carrier or sufferer from a mild attack of the
disease. There were only four cases of paratyphoid fever
notified during the year, one of which was not confirmed.
Investigations were carried out to ascertain the cause of the
illness in each case. Good personal hygiene plays an important
part in preventing the spread of paratyphoid by food handlers.