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538
The striking increase of prevalence since 1921 is shown in the
table, as likewise the fact that in the second seven years the cases
are nearly ten times as numerous as in the first.
In 1924 the disease prevailed chiefly in the Midlands and the
North of England. Wales and the Southern Counties were
practically free from it, although many possibly infected persons
from infected areas or from shipboard had to be kept under close
observation.
The type of Small-pox during the past few years has been mild
as compared with earlier times, but this has not been invariably so.
In London, in 1922, for example, 20 deaths occurred in an outbreak
of 65 cases, and in the 10 cases at Willesden, in 1924, there were
3 deaths. What the future has in store it is quite impossible to
prophesy. The old, more virulent form of Small-pox may return
at any time, and the country must be prepared to meet a situation
which it is not possible to estimate for.
DIARRHŒA AND ENTERITIS.
There were only 2 deaths from this disease among children
under 2 years of age. The death-rate is best expressed as the
proportion which the deaths under two years of age from these
diseases form to a thousand births. The rate is only 23, which
compares favourably with the rate for London generally (8.4).
INFLUENZA.
The deaths directly ascribed to this disease numbered 15.
Nurse Ager paid visits to several cases reported to various officials
of the Council.
MEASLES.
Measles and Whooping Cough were in evidence during the
year, and Nurse Ager paid 134 visits to infected homes.
During the year there were no occasions on which there was
delay in securing the removal to hospital of notified cases of Scarlet
Fever and Diphtheria.