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TUBERCULOSIS.
The cc.Su rate for new cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
notified during 1943 was 75 per 100,000 population, compared with
90, 68, 6l, 56, 58 and 65 in the last six years. The average
case rate for this District from 1915 to 1924 was 115 -and from
1925 to 1954, 88, While still above the low level achieved.
before, the war, the reduction this year is very welcome.
The increased proportion of notifications of males over
45 years of age, noted in 1942, was even. more marked, in 1943,
when more than a half of the male notifications were, in this age
group. A similar, thoughtless marked rise among women of the
same age is noticeable. In part these rises are accounted for
by the changing age distribution in the population, but in the
case of males at least this is probably not the full reason, other
war time conditions affecting men of this age adversely.
On the other hand the Non-pulmonary Tuberculosis case
rate of 17 per 100,000 was about the average for the last 6 years,
and the mean of the averages for the decades 1915-24 and 1925-34.
The death rate from Pulmonary Tuberculosis was 38 per
100,000 population which compares quite favourably with rates of
40, 55, 43, 21 and 27 in th_ last 6 years and those for the
quinquennial period 1915-34 which were 72, 57, 36 and 38.
Similarly the non-pulmonary Death Rate was only 7 per
100,000 Compared with 8, 11, 6 and 9 in the previous 4 years.
All the methods reviously employed in an attempt to
prevent the spread of this disease were continued throughout the
year.
NON-NOTIFIABLE INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
The chief sources of information as to the prevalence of
the group of non-notifiable infectious diseases are the death
returns and notifications from Head Teachers of the Public
Elementary Schools.
From the former it is noted the 20 deaths from
Influenza occurred, this disease being rather more prevalent than
in 1942, and assuming epidemic proportions towards the end of the
year when arrangements were made to provide voluntary assistance.
in the homes for persons or families unable to cope with their
domestic needs while so suffering.
From the latter the chief offender appeared to be Mumps,
which was prevalent at Selsdon from January to March (130 cases
notified); Purley, March to May(39); Old Coulscion. May to June
and September (36 cases) with occasional cases in other schools.
Chicken Pox was common in Selsdon, particularly in June
(total 83) and .Kenley (78).
Occasional cases of Infective Jaundice occurred in the
first and last months, a total of 14 being notified, of which 8
occurred in one school.
OTHER DISEASES.
DIBETES.
Following the receipt of a circular from the Ministry of
Health requesting Local,Authorities to assist patients not
otherwise helped by the existing legislation to obtain insulin
when required, either free or at reduced cost, the Council
introduced a scheme for this purpose. It was estimated that
more cases of this type existed than were subsequently discovered,
hence the limits of the scheme were rather exclusive, only 2
persons benefiting during the year, one to the extent of half
cost and the other paying one-tenth cost.
Only 5 other applications were received mostly well above
the prescribed income limit.