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32
Scarlet Fever or Scarlatina.
With the exception of the months of May and June,
scarlet fever was prevalent throughout the year, and every
part of the district was affected. Relative to population, as
well as actually, the largest number of cases occurred in West
Finchley.
The 125 cases notified in the whole of Finchley during
1907 represented infection in 83 different houses. So far as
could be ascertained, the disease was spread by direct infection
from one patient to another. The school attendances
were never seriously affected.
The year was one in which scarlet fever was exceptionally
prevalent in London, and this probably accounted in no small
degree for the large number of cases notified in surrounding
areas.
The great majority of the cases were of a mild type, but
in a few instances the symptoms were serious from the commencement
of the illness, and two children died.
Diphtheria.
The number of cases notified in 1907 was 59, giving a
rate per 1,000 of population slightly above the average of the
preceding ten years. In four instances the disease terminated
fatally. The number of different houses invaded was
52. No serious outbreak occurred in any of the schools.
Typhoid or Enteric Fever.
Six cases of Enteric Fever were notified during the year,
each occurred on different premises, and no connection could
be traced between any two of the cases.
It was impossible to ascertain the source of infection in
any instance.
Two of the six patients died.