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SECTION E
PREVALENCE OF, AMD CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS DISEASE
The total number of notifications of infectious diseases during
1952 was 1,080 as compared with 2,063 in 1951- This reduction was
due to the smaller number of cases of Measles and Whooping Cough
although even during 1952 these two diseases accounted for more than
60# of the total notifications.
Methods of control of Measles are at present unsatisfactory in
that the material is scarce and expensive and it is impracticable to
prevent or modify cases as a routine procedure. An attack gives
protection against further attacks in the great majority of cases and
the incidence of the disease in urban areas is modified mainly by the
proportion of susceptible children in the population. It is consequently
possible to give a forecast of the number of cases likely
to occur but this can hardly be described as a method of control.
Fortunately the majority of the serious consequences of Measles are
due to secondary infections which can now be controlled by the
sulphonamide group of drugs or antibiotics such as penicillin.
Whooping Cough is almost equally difficult to control.
Immunisation is advocated by many and whilst the results are by no
means as sure or as effective as in the case of diphtheria immunisation
there is considerable evidence that, if the disease is contracted,
the attack is likely to be less serious. Whooping Cough, unlike most
of the other common fevers, frequently attacks very young infants and
the deaths from this disease occur very largely during the first year
of life. In order to save life, immunisation must consequently be
carried out at a very early age. This form of protection against
Whooping Cough is not widely practised in Bethnal Green but it is
anticipated that when a more effective Immunising agent is produced
the procedure will become more popular.
Two cases of Diphtheria occurred during the year and in both cases
the patients recovered. This may be regarded as satisfactory when
compared with the large numbers of cases and deaths before the War but
it is by no means satisfactory when it is remembered that these two
cases could have been prevented. The outstanding success of the
diphtheria immunisation campaign during the past ten years with the
diminishing number of cases and deaths has provoked such selfcongratulatory
statements that the general public have lost the sense
of urgency which was apparent some years ago. The attitude adopted by