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48
The arrangements made for the immunization of children
against diphtheria were detailed in the report for last year although
the scheme was only put into operation in the early part of the year
under review.
During the year supplies of prophylactic sufficient for 180
patients were issued at cost price to local medical practitioners
for their private patients and in addition 326 children were immunized
through the school medical department.
The increased prevalence of diphtheria led to an exceptionally
large demand for anti-toxin, which is supplied free of charge for
patients certified by their medical attendant to be in poor circumstances
and at cost price for other patients. During the year
840,000 units of anti-toxin were issued.
Scarlet Fever.—The number of cases of scarlet fever showed
a definite reduction on the two previous years, as will be seen in
the table on page 44. The total of 400 cases in 1935 is equivalent
to a case-rate of 2.91 per thousand of population, compared with
an almost similar rate of 2.96 for England and Wales.
The occurrence of cases throughout the year was as follows :—
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
39 58 54 28 43 28 18 7 20 38 32 35
From these figures it will be seen that, with the exception
of the summer months, the disease was prevalent to a fairly uniform
extent throughout the whole year.
The wards in which the cases occurred are shown on page 45.
The Greenford South Ward, with 81 cases, experienced the greatest
prevalence for the second year in succession and the probable
reason for this is that there are a greater number of children
in the 5—10 years age-group in the ward, which developed rapidly
a few years ago and which offered a relatively larger proportion
of susceptible children for infection. Castlebar and Mount Park
Wards, each with 13 cases, experienced the greatest freedom
from the disease.