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11
there was a marked increase of notifications of pneumonia
and deaths attributable to Influenza, The epidemic then
spread to the South of England and a rise of school absentee
fate was noted in Ealing in the week ending September
21st. The basic rate for September and October last year
was about 7%. By October 14th this year it had reached a
peak of 28%, thereafter it fell and by the end of the month
it had reached the expected level for the time of year.
The notifications of pneumonia during the last quarter
of the year were 95 compared with 36 in the previous year
and the notifications of deaths due to or partially attributed
to Influenza were 5 compared with none in the
previous year.
During the epidemic, vaccination was offered to Midwives,
Home Nurses and Ambulance Drivers and vaccine was
supplied to General Practitioners for their own protection.
MEASLES.
1,854 cases were notified.
In 1956 there were 726 and in 1955 2,422.
MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION.
Two cases were notified and were treated in hospital.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
5 cases were notified.
Three occurred in hospital and two in general practice.
All cleared up satisfactorily leaving no impairment
of eyesight.
PNEUMONIA.
171 notifications were received.
There were 64 deaths, 31 male and 33 female.
POLIOMYELITIS.
Two notifications were received.
Both children were admitted to hospital where in
neither case was the final diagnosis poliomyelitis, but a
chest infection in one, and aseptic meningitis in the
other.
Vaccination against Poliomyelitis continued on an
increasing scale. By the end of the year 15,300 children
had been registered, of whom 6, 157 had been vaccinated.