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The holding of so comprehensive an Inquiry, tor which much
detailed information had to be compiled, and at which many
criticisms had to be met and combated, during the actual course
of a serious outbreak of epidemic disease, placed additional
heavy burdens upon the department, already working at high
pressure to deal with the outbreak. It says much for the energy
and loyalty of the staff of the department that both burdens were
shouldered successfully.
The findings of the Commissioner are now too well known to
need any reiteration, but it is justifiable to enquire, firstly, if the
Inquiry could not have been held just as usefully after the outbreak
had been dealt with; and secondly, if the findings could not
have been arrived at as efficiently and more expeditiously by
methods of a less elaborate and costly nature. If this procedure
is to form a precedent, then medical officers of health will, in
future, when called upon to tackle an outbreak of epidemic
disease, also have to take steps to protect themselves at the Public
Inquiry held thereinto.
Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria were both more prevalent than
in 1936, the latter giving rise to a limited outbreak in one portion
of the town during November. The weekly average of cases over
the year for Scarlet Fever was 11.7, and for Diphtheria, 5. Three
deaths were caused by Scarlet Fever, and 15 by Diphtheria. When
it is remembered that Diphtheria can be prevented by immunisation,
and that the means are available in Croydon, either through
the Public Health Department, or if so desired, through the private
doctor, it is a somewhat sad reflection upon the attitude of parents,
that 289 cases were notified and 15 deaths resulted, and of these
deaths 14 were in children under 15 years of age.
Among the non-notifiable diseases, the expected biennial increase
of Measles commenced in December, and the number of
cases rose steadily until the end of the year. A limited supply of
human anti-serum was available, whilst Measles Globulin was
obtainable from the department, free of cost in necessitous cases,
to any practitioner who applied for it. The number of requests
was very small.
Mumps and Chicken-Pox were both more prevalent than in
1936.
The Birth Rate (13.5) was very slightly higher than in 1936,
but was still 1.4 per 1,000 less than that for England and Wales