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66
THE CONTROL OF DISEASE.
It is satisfactory to report that the epidemic of
Smallpox has subsided, a few sporadic cases only being
notified during the year.
The number of cases of Diphtheria notified,
although slightly in excess of the number notified in
1931, is below the average for the past five years.
Scarlet Fever was prevalent, the number of cases
notified being 158 in excess of the previous year. This
is no doubt attributable to the quinquennial incidence
of this disease.
We have the curious anomaly of the organised
public health service concentrating its excellent resources
on diseases like Scarlet Fever, while Rheumatism—a
non-notifiable disease—with its great potentiality for
serious crippling is practically outside its ken. The
limited scope of the local health service is of course
specially marked in the London Boroughs where the
local health authority has no responsibility for the
school medical service.