View report page

71
There are 82 Medical Practitioners on the approved panel. At the end of the year
1,474 children were reported to have received or to be in the process of receiving immunization
under the scheme. During 1938 there were 795 attendances at the Schick Testing Clinics.
Diphtheria immunization is nearly 100 per cent. successful in preventing the disease
in individuals. A scheme such as the one in St. Pancras aims at protecting the community.
In order to reduce the liability of the community to Diphtheria infection it will be necessary
for a high proportion of all susceptible children to be immunized at the earliest possible date,
and for this " saturated " state to be maintained by immunizing all children directly after
infancy.
ENTERIC OR TYPHOID FEVER.
Five cases of Typhoid and two cases of Para 13. Typhoid were notified during the
year. One diagnosis of Typhoid was not confirmed. There were two deaths.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA AND PUERPERAL FEVER.
In 1938 there were 37 notifications of Puerperal Pyrexia and seven notifications of
Puerperal Fever. Further details of these diseases are given on page 125 of the Maternity
and Child Welfare Section.
ERYSIPELAS.
86 cases were notified and five deaths occurred, as compared with 64 cases and two
deaths during the previous year.
CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS.
(Cerebro-Spinal Fever, Meningococcal Meningitis, "Spotted Fever.")
Thirteen cases were notified and five died. In all cases the diagnoses was confirmed.
ACUTE POLIOMYELITIS AND POLIOENCEPHALITIS.
Five cases were notified. There were no deaths.
This disease, the popular name for which is infantile paralysis, causes paralysis of
certain muscles with resulting serious deformity. A very great deal can be done for children
who have had this disease if they are placed under expert care, and if this is continued for
many years after the initial illness.
Every effort is made to follow up these cases.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
The number of cases notified was 22, and in addition 37 cases of mild inflammation of
the eyes were reported.
All the cases recovered satisfactorily, without impairment of vision. Further particulars
are given on page 115 of Maternity aud Child Welfare Section.
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
No cases were notified during the year, but two deaths occurred.