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Pneumonia.
This disease is a frequent complication of other diseases, such as Measles. When it
occurs in that manner it is not notifiable.
The notifiable forms of Pneumonia are Acute Primary and Acute Influenzal Pneumonia.
There were 80 notifications of the former and 43 of the latter, during 1946.
Anterior Poliomyelitis and Polioencephalitis.
Three cases were notified, of which one case was subsequently not confirmed. 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.
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
(Cerebrospinal Fever, Meningococcal Meningitis, " Spotted Fever.")
Nine cases were notified, and in all but two the diagnoses was confirmed. There were
three deaths.
Diphtheria.
The number of cases notified was 94, as compared with 104 during the previous year,
but the diagnosis was not confirmed in 28 instances. The actual number of cases was therefore
66 (of whom 45 were under 15 years of age), which gives an attack rate of 0-51 per 1,000 of
population. Two deaths occurred, giving a case mortality of 3-0 per cent.
Investigation of multiple cases—that is, several cases occurring more or less together
in one house—shows that in 5 families there were two cases and in 2 families three cases.
St. Margaret's Hospital Nursery had four cases, one subsequently not confirmed.
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 2,478 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 12,416.