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consultation on a number of occasions to determine as to diagnosis, course of action and
prevention of spread of infection.
Unfortunately little is known of the infectivity of Anterior Poliomyelitis or Polioencephalitis,
the medical names for the two forms of the disease known to the public as infantile paralysis.
There is reason to believe, on the one hand, that it may be an infection carried by discharges
from the nose, or, on the other hand, that it may be food-borne. There is no vaccine capable
of protecting against the disease. Many cases are mild, some almost evanescent and remaining
undiagnosed, whilst paralysis does not eventuate in all cases. It must be remembered, however,
that persons contracting a mild form of the disease may be equally as capable as those with a
severe form of carrying the infection to other persons.
Each case was followed up to secure abatement of unsatisfactory environmental conditions
where possible, and I advised against the congregation of large numbers of children
together, especially for the purpose of competitive sport. It was not found necessary to close
any schools or nurseries.
Cerebrospinal Meningitis.
(Cerebro-Spinal Fever, Meningococcal Meningitis, " Spotted Fever.")
Seven cases were notified, and in all but one the diagnoses were confirmed. There was
one death.
Diphtheria and Diphtheria Immunisation.
The immunisation of children is carried out at the Council's Welfare Centres and Day
Nurseries, by general practitioners, and also by the London County Council Medical Officers at
the day schools.
The Council's Health Visitors have been in constant touch with parents of children under
school age, for the purpose of securing immunisation.
During the year, 2,282 children were recorded as immunised through the various channels
mentioned, and the total number of St. Pancras children known to be immunised since the
scheme commenced is 14,698.
The number of births during the year was 2,793, and therefore it would appear that
approximately 81 per cent, of children are being immunised in the borough, in most cases at
approximately the age of one year.
What has been the effect of this immunisation upon the incidence of diphtheria in the
borough? During 1947 the number of cases notified was 41, but as the diagnosis was not
confirmed in 20 instances the actual number of cases for the year was 21; by far the lowest
figure ever recorded in the borough. Of the children who contracted the disease, seven had
been immunised.
Three persons died of diphtheria, and not one of these had been immunised. From this
it is fair to assume that immunisation generally has been responsible to a great extent for the
diminution in the number of persons who are contracting diphtheria in the borough; that
those who had been immunised had only mild attacks ; and in particular that fatality in persons
immunised was nil.
The table and graph that follow show the correlation between immunisation in the
borough and the fall in the incidence of diphtheria.