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101
comparative immunity of the country has hitherto been due mainly
to its high vaccination state. With the fall in the number of
vaccinations this fortunate state of affairs cannot be expected to
continue.
International Certificates (Ministry of Health Circular
20/52).—The question of authentication of International Certificates
of vaccination has now been settled by the adoption of the International
Sanitary Regulations (W.H.O. Regulations No. 2) which
replaced the International Sanitary Conventions on 1st October,
1952. The Regulations prescribe, inter alia, new forms of International
Certificates of vaccination against Cholera and Smallpox
and, to be valid, the certificate must bear an approved stamp
which certifies that the signature of the Vaccinator is that of a
practising medical practitioner.
During the year some 251 certificates of persons proceeding
abroad were so authenticated, of these 223 were in respect of Smallpox,
14 for Cholera and 14 for Typhoid ; in 2 instances the necessary
vaccinations were actually carried out by your Medical Officer of
Health.
Measles.—Only 28 notifications were received throughout the
year compared with 560 in 1953 and 918 in 1952. Indeed, this
present figure is the lowest recorded in the Borough since the
introduction of notification. The distribution of the cases was as
follows :—East Greenwich 6 ; West Greeenwich 10 ; St. Nicholas,
Deptford 2 ; Charlton and Kidbrooke 10.
One case occurred in a child under one year of age and 27 cases
between 1 and 10 years. One was removed to hospital. No
fatalities were recorded.
Whooping Cough.—Altogether 225 notifications of this disease
were notified but in 2 instances the diagnosis was not upheld. The
final figure of 223 is a decrease of 13 from that of the previous year
but 33 higher than for 1952. In 1950 and 1951 the figures were 309
and 384 respectively.
Area distribution was as follows :—East Greenwich 113 ; West
Greenwich 37 ; St. Nicholas, Deptford 10 ; Charlton and Kidbrooke
63.
Fifteen cases were removed to hospital but there were no
fatalities.
Diphtheria. Two notifications were received one of which
was subsequently re—diagnosed as tonsillitis. There were no cases
last year, four were registered during 1952 and a NIL return was
recorded for 1951.