View report page

DIPHTHERIA.
For the sixth year in succession no confirmed case of diphtheria
occurred in the District, and this was the first year during
which no case was sent to hospital as being even suspected of
having this disease.
While this achievement, which is chiefly attributable to the
health services, is one of the most satisfying in recent years,
particularly when the saving of life, illhealth, manpower and
money is considered, there was evidence during the Spring that the
germ of this disease was not absent from this neighbourhood. It
is, therefore, still very important to ensure that the standard of
immunity of the population is not permitted to decline.
SCARLET FEVER.
There was a further recession in the prevalence of scarlet fever
in the District during 1952, as was expected after the wave of infection
in 1949-50 in which years the number of cases was relatively
high. The number of cases notified was 80 compared with 90,
149, 138, 78 and 62 in the preceding five years. Judging by
previous experience the incidence should not increase greatly
during 1953.
The disease remains of a very mild type, resulting in an
increase in the number of missed cases, and it is, therefore, the
more difficult to limit its spread, or to forecast the number of
cases which can be expected. In fact, when it is remembered that,
associated with each case there are almost always other persons
carrying the germ and sometimes showing symptoms of illhealth
but not developing a rash, it is remarkable that the number
notified as scarlet fever remains relatively constant from year to
year. Similarly, it is surprising that for the last 5 years almost
all the cases have been young children. It would appear that with
advancing years an immunity is developed to the rash producing
elements, though not to the same extent to the invasion of the
germs. In 1952 eight cases were over school age, which is a
slightly higher proportion than of late, but no less than 53 were of
the 5-10 year age group.
While contact at school is not the only way of spreading the
infection, it is obvious from the distribution of the cases that this
has probably the greatest influence. (The Hamsey Green area was
most affected early in the year, and the Chipstead end of the
District in the Autumn.)
Of the 80 cases, 56 were treated at their homes and 24 in a
variety of Isolation Hospitals. (Wandle Valley 13, Bletchingly 3,
Cuddington 1, Croydon 4, Carshalton 2 and The Grove 1.) The
proportion treated at home is steadily increasing and this policy
appears to be fully justified by experience.
Unnecessary hospitalisation should obviously be avoided in
view of the risks of cross infection for the patient, the absorption
17