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39
62.2 per cent. of all cases of whooping cough and 54.1 per cent. of all cases of
measles occur in children 1-5 years. Although it is still the subject of medical
enquiry, whooping cough vaccination is being increasingly requested by parents.
London (Measles and Whooping Cough) Regulations, 1938.
Home visiting of measles and whooping cough cases was carried out by the
Home Visitors as under—
No. of Investigations.
Measles Whooping Cough No. of Ineffective Visits.
1,347 695 606
Plus 8 Re-visited
Acute Poliomyelitis and Polioencephalitis.
In common with the country as a whole the number of cases of Poliomyelitis
and Polioencephalitis (" Infantile Paralysis ") was the largest number recorded
in the history of the Borough. Although 35 cases were notified, the number of
confirmed cases (including two transferred notifications who probably contracted
the disease during their residence in Islington) was 24. The maximum incidence
occurred during the late summer and early autumn, and the number of confirmed
cases which occurred month by month according to date of onset, is as follows:—
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apl. May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
——11—2354431
Of these 24 cases the incidence and deaths were as under, in each of the age
groups given:—
Under 1 year 1-5 years 5-15 years 15-25 years 25 ds over.
Cases 1 7 6 7 3
Deaths 1 — 1 2 —
Although the number of cases was the highest recorded in Islington, Islington
was fortunate in that, according to estimated population, the " attack " rate was
proportionately the lowest of any London Borough. It is not possible, however,
to ascribe this relatively fortunate outcome to any special precautions which were
taken in the Borough, although all possible steps within our present knowledge were
adopted. The attention of all general practitioners in the Borough was drawn to
the possibility of Poliomyelitis cases arising, but it was not felt necessary in this
Borough to close swimming pools or special cinema shows for children. Swimming
galas, however, were discouraged. Local publicity was given by the Medical Officer
of Health to the advisability of general hygienic precautions, and it was pointed out
that prevention by inoculation was not possible in the present stage of medical
control of this disease. There is evidence that when there is an increase in the number
of cases of Poliomyelitis there is a very great increase at the same time in the number
of healthy carriers. Control is therefore an extremely difficult matter. It is
fortunate that there were not a greater number of cases locally and it is not possible
to say that similar outbreaks, perhaps of an even more severe character, may not
occur in the future.
The distribution of cases is shown on the accompanying " spot-map."