View report page

97
Whooping Cough.—There were 388 notifications received, 4
of which were not confirmed. The final figure of 384 compares with
309 for the previous year and 194 for 1949. Of these 384 cases, 192
occurred in East Greenwich; 68 in West Greenwich; 11 in St.
Nicholas, Deptford; and 113 in Charlton and Kidbrooke. Thirtyfive
cases were under one year of age, 215 between 1 and 5 years,
and 128 between the ages of 5 and 15.
Twenty-three cases were removed to hospital.
There was one fatality.
Diphtheria.—Four notifications were received in respect of
this disease and in each instance the diagnosis was not upheld. It
is, therefore, a pleasure to record NIL cases for the first occasion
since the introduction of compulsory notification. The total
represented over the present and past two years is 3 cases without
any fatality. When compared with the figure of 367 cases including
3 deaths for the year 1935 there can be little doubt as to the complete
vindication of the Immunisation programme introduced
during 1936.

Such a low incidence of diphtheria is undoubtedly cause for
satisfaction but the inherent danger of apathy towards immunisation
should not be allowed to develop and give rise to a
recrudescence.
Antitoxin.—In accordance with the Antitoxin Order, 1910, a
supply of Antitoxin is provided by the Council for the use of General
Practitioners in emergency cases. No requests were dealt with
during the current year.
During 1950 arrangements were made for a supply of this
Antitoxin to be made available at St. Alfege's Hospital.
Acute Primary Pneumonia and Acute Influenzal
Pneumonia.—There were 29 cases attributed to these causes as
compared with 30 for each of the two previous years. Twelve