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7
The non-notifiable infectious diseases, Whooping Cough, Mumps and
Chicken Pox, were much in evidence during the year. Scarlet Fever, though
not so virulent as in former years, occurred fairly frequently. In the latter
part of the year, Diphtheria almost disappeared from the district. Towards
the end of the year septic sore throat appeared to harass a considerable
number of the population of all ages.
Sporadic cases of Enteric Fever kept on recurring almost at regular
intervals. The source of infection was not discovered in any one case. This
was complicated by the fact that B. Typhosus occurred in one district while
Bacillus Paratyphosus B. appeared in another. During the summer and
autumn months matters were further complicated by an outbreak of Enteritis
amongst the juvenile population. It is to be regretted that this latter disease
caused a number of deaths. Dr. W. Vernon Shaw, of the Ministry of Health,
visited the district and gave to the Department the benefit of his valuable
advice.
The Birth Rate is high as one would expect in a developing area like
Edmonton, inasmuch that the number of young married couples is relatively
high in such areas.
The Death Rate is low due principally to the decline in mortality amongst
the juvenile population.
The Death Rate from T.B. remains constant but the incidence shows a
slight tendency to increase.
The Infantile Mortality rate remains low at 52.8 in relationship to that
in England and Wales.
The Maternal Mortality figure 1.8 is very creditable. This is a very
remarkable result, even though it must be regarded as incidental when one
considers that Edmonton has no official hospital accommodation other than
the ordinary use of the local hospitals for the primary treatment of Midwifery
cases.
The incidence of Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia however occurs
moderately frequent, and the Council have wisely made arrangements with the
Queen Charlotte's Hospital, Ravenscourt Square, for the treatment of such
cases. The results achieved in this institution are very satisfactory, and it is
to be hoped that such facilities offered by this Council will be more frequently
utilised by Medical Practitioners attending Edmonton mothers.