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146
light despite the rigid supervision of contacts. In this particular
instance, it must be remembered, however, that the parents were given
anti-typhoid vaccine, although medical opinion differs as to its preventive
value so late after the primary contact.
Measles.
Measles epidemics in London generally occur in alternate years,
and during 1937, 90 cases were notified as compared with 918 during
the previous year. Twelve children were treated in Hospital and
there were no deaths.
Malaria.
One case of Malaria was notified during the year. This occurred
in a male patient aged 30 who contracted the disease on the Gold Coast.
Pneumonia.
During the year 91 cases of Pneumonia were notified. Of these
50 were of acute primary Pneumonia, and 41 cases of acute InfluenzalPneumonia.
The total deaths were 22, of which 19 occurred in
persons over 45 years of age (13 in persons of 60 years or more).
As is usually the case, the age of the patient appears to be the
ohief factor of mortality.
Seventeen of the deaths occurred during the first quarter of the
year.
Influenza.
Lnfluenaa became prevalent at 'the beginning of the year.
Influenza is not a notifiable disease, and it is difficult, therefore,
to arrive at any satisfactory estimate of the true nature and incidence
of an epidemic. The only definite information available is that
obtained from Influenzal-Pneutnonia notification's which numbered
41, as compared with 22 in 1936. On the other hand, the death returns
ior the year show Influenza as the cause of death in 55 cases, as
compared with 18 cases in the previous year.
Scarlet Fever.
During the year 177 cases of scarlet fever were notified (cf. 114
in 1936, 112 in 1935, 194 in 1934, and 451 in 1933). This disease
continues to be of a mild type and only one case terminated fatally.