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II PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS
AND OTHER DISEASES
WEATHER CONDITIONS
January began very cold to become mild and wet. February saw some snow, but
also record sunshine. There was snow at times during March and April. The month of
May was dry and generally fine, June being the sunniest since records began in 1929.
July and August had alternate fine and unsettled spells. Above average temperatures
with little rain was experienced in the latter half of September and in October,
whilst November showed record rainfall. With December came fog and a white Christmas
INFECTIOUS DISEASES - NOTIFICATIONS
The number o f noti fied cases of infectious disease, corrected for rev i sed di agnoses
and duplicate notifications, was 1.619 compared with 1,709 during the previous year.
Liaison is maintained with general practitioners and hospitals in the area by a
weekly bulletin which is circulated giving them information on the numbers of
infectious diseases occurring in the borough during the week, the number of new
claims for sickness benefit received at local offices of the Ministry of Social
Security in the area, and other relevant information from time to time.
A summary of notifications of infectious diseases received during the year will
be found on page 86 and a list of diseases notifiable in the borough on page 85.
ANTHRAX
No case of anthrax was reported during the year.
CANCER
Of a total of 537 deaths from cancer occurring this year 160 were due to cancer
of the lung. The death rate of lung cancer was 0.87 per 1,000 population.
DIPHTHERIA
No cases of diphtheria were notified during the year.
DYSENTERY
Notified cases of dysentery totalled 36, compared with 78 during the previous
year.
FOOD POISONING
Eighty-two cases of food poisoning were notified during the year compared with
-13-