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Encephalitis Letharigca.
There were no notifications of Encephalitis Lethargica and
no deaths occurred from the disease, or other germ diseases of the
central nervous system.
Small-Pox.
No cases of Small-Pox were notified during the year. Several
contacts of the cases which occurred outside the district have how
ever been notified to us and kept under supervision.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
5 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified. The
Council has agreement with the London County Council for the
admission, if necessary, of cases into St. Margarets Hospital. Two
cases were admitted under the terms of the agreement. All the
cases recovered and the sight was not affected.
Whooping Cough.
During the year 6 deaths occurred from Whooping Cough
As Whooping Cough is not compulsorily notifiable, it is not easy
to estimate the probable number of cases which occurred here last
year.
Whooping Cough is admittedly a most difficult disease to
prevent. In the early stages, it is impossible to diagnose it. The
initial cough is no different from coughs from other causes to which
children are liable, and the characteristic spasm and whoop do not
occur until about the second week. The disease is infectious dunring
the early catarrhal stage and opportunity for contact is abundantly
afforded by the usual conditions of urban life. As far as schocts
are concerned the efforts to control it are almost useless. Exclusion
of cases from the schools after they have become clinically manifest
cannot be effective in controlling an outbreak.
It has been assumed that the epidemic cycle in Whoopig
Cough is due to the fact that there is some cycle of activity of the
bacillus influenced by seasonal conditions. It is well known that
Whooping Cough is more severe when it occurs during the winter
months. This theory however is discounted by the fact that the
epidemic period is not identical in different towns. Even in the
areas of London streets whose populations are continually mixing
with each other, the cycle can be in a different phase by severed
months.