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41
Measles.
There were one thousand, eight hundred and twenty-four
cases of measles notified during the year, giving an attack rate
of 21.4 per thousand population—a great increase over 1951 when
there were three hundred and thirty-eight cases which gave an
attack rate of 4.2 per thousand population. Most of these cases
were mild in nature and without complications. Sixty-nine of
the cases were admitted to Hospital. The control of the spread
of measles is always a difficult task because of the nature of the
early symptoms and of the delay in confirmation by the onset of
the rash. There is, however, a certain lack of care given to this
aspect by a number of parents, a practice which is not to be
encouraged. Measles can be and often is, a very serious illness
in childhood and the lack of adequate nursing and home care
have, during the years when measles has been more acute in
nature, led to complications and, in some cases, actually to death.
The employment of an infectious disease nurse by the Local
District Councils, is a matter which has received consideration
by the Health Committee and is a matter that might well be
re-considered in the near future.
Whooping Cough.
The spread over of the whooping cough epidemic from 1950
continued into 1951 and continues at the time of writing. Four
hundred and forty-one cases were notified, giving an attack rate
of 5.2 per 1,000 population. Eight cases were admitted to
hospital. There were no deaths. Like measles, whooping cough
has its rise and fall in severity of the symptoms and we appear
to be going through a period of mild and non-virulent type.
Immunisation against whooping cough has not been promoted
as it still remains in an experimental stage. What has been said
about measles in the care and home nursing applies equally to
the care of whooping cough. Too often does one see children
in the active stage of whooping cough being transported in public
conveyances or being in congregations of people.
Tuberculosis.
Statistical statements on the incidence of tuberculosis in
Chislehurst and Sidcup are recorded in Appendices VII, VIII and
IX. During the year a check up was made in the current
register and, for the first time, the total of cases on the register
showed a reduction over the previous year. The register had a
considerable influx of patients as a result of the completion of
the L.C.C. Estate at St. Paul's Cray, priority of tenancy being
given to tuberculous families from London. The register now
shows a total of one thousand three hundred and seven cases,
compared with one thousand, three hundred and nine cases of the
previous year. Ninety-eight cases were new notifications and