View report page

More than half the cases were in adults over 65 years of age. A
total of 17 deaths from pneumonia of all types occurred during 1945.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Only one case of ophthalmia neonatorum was notified in 1945. The
baby was born in hospital and fortunately the disease was mild, the child
recovering without any permanent effect upon the vision. Only three
other cases of this disease have been notified since 1939, and all of these
have recovered without permanent effects, thus bearing testimony to the
prophylactic measures taken by the midwifery service during a period
when gonorrhoea, a common cause of this disease, has increased in
prevalence.
Measles.
The number of cases of measles notified during 1945, namely 705,
was by far the largest experienced in the District, the previous highest
being 479 in 1942 and 468 in 1917.
The increase was probably due in part to better realisation of the
statutory obligation to notify this disease, which, like whooping cough,
was not notifiable from 1919 to 1939.
As has been stated in the interim reports, although the practice may
be helpful in some areas, compulsory notification of measles has no great
value at the present time in a District such as this for the following
reasons:—
(1) Only a proportion of the cases are notified, as an appreciable
percentage of parents do not consider it necessary to call in a
doctor, and it is the very cases which most need visitation which
are least likely to seek medical advice.
(2) There is a very considerable delay between the onset of the
disease and notification being received, thus reducing the value
of visitation.
(3) This disease is very apt to occur in waves of widely-spread
infection, as a result of which the numbers of cases occurring
simultaneously are such that only a small proportion can be
visited.
(Locally it has only been practicable to visit a proportion of
children in the youngest age groups suffering from or in contact
with measles.)
(4) When visitation is practicable the only advice which can be
given is to emphasise the importance of isolation and good
nursing, arranging for the latter to be given where necessary.
In this District it is found that in almost all cases notified and
visited, satisfactory arrangements have already been made.
The fact that special arrangements made in 1933 for the treatment
of chronic ear discharge in young children seen at the
Welfare Centre have not proved necessary, suggests that adequate
after-treatment is also being provided.
(5) Unfortunately at present there is no reliable and practicable
preventive treatment which can be encouraged as a result of
25