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of 14 in the week ended 18th October. In the same week there were five influenza
and influenzal pneumonia deaths included in the returns, the respective ages being
52, 39, 82, 55 and 58 years.
Check observations were made in a selected number of adult cases in conjunction
with family practitioners and the Public Health Laboratory, and the infection was
confirmed by the Laboratory as due to Group. A. Influenza virus, this being the
same as the so-called Asian' flu type.
Scabies and Vermin
The number of treatments for both scabies and vermin was greater in 1957
than in 1956, but during the latter year the Council's Treatment Centre was closed
for a time on account of the installation of a new boiler and sterilizers for the
Disinfecting Station and most of the treatment of Islington residents was carried
out at the Finsbury Health Centre. The figures for the two years are not, therefore
strictly comparable.
Scabies Vermin
Children under 5 years Number treated 23 33
Number of baths given 50—
Number of treatments — 33
L.C.C. Children Number treated 55 300
Number of baths given 157* —
Number of treatments — 302
Adults Number treated 83 56
Number of baths given 205* —
Number of treatments — 62
* Baths were also given to 10 Scabies Contacts and 121 Special Cleansing Cases.

Tuberculosis.
It will be seen from the table given below that there were 420 new cases of
pulmonary tuberculosis, which is one more than in the previous year. The number
of deaths due to this cause, however, decreased, at 28, to a new record low level
figure, the previous year's having been 34, which was the lowest to that time. It
will be seen that the new cases are not diminishing in the same proportion as the
deaths, and the better outlook for the tuberculous person gives rise to its own
problems, because unless the number of new cases diminishes rapidly the total pool
of tuberculous infection, or potential tuberculous infection, due to improved survival
may well increase. This in itself would give rise to possible increased exposure for
non-infected persons. The observation in previous Reports that pulmonary tuberculosis
is still the most serious major infection with which we have to deal, and that
the majority of new cases are between the ages of 15 and 55 so that the working
capacity of men and women is very seriously affected over a long time, still,
unfortunately, remains a true statement of the position.