London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Finchley 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finchley]
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INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The following table shows the number of cases notified during the past five years:
| 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 3 | 4 | 13 | - | - |
| Scarlet Fever | 125 | 109 | 102 | 97 | 62 |
| Smallpox | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Enteric Fever | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cerebro Spinal Fever | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Poliomyelitis | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| Pneumonia | 49 | 38 | 56 | 48 | 60 |
| Measles | 83 | 618 | 403 | 167 | 888 |
| Whooping Cough | 201 | 57 | 158 | 138 | 254 |
Diphtheria
There has not been a case of Diphtheria in the Borough since
August, 1946, a fact which affords ample evidence that this dread
disease can be banished from the community by adequate immunisation,
and parents should realise that they can prevent its return
by taking every advantage of the facilities provided for the
protection of their children.
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet Fever occurs in waves of about six years and in 1948
when there were 62 cases we had just about reached the bottom of
a wave. It can therefore be anticipated that during the next few
years there will be a gradual increase in the number of cases. The
disease was mild in type, and there was no death.
Poliomyelitis
There were four cases of this disease which is commonly
known by the unfortunate and misleading name of Infantile
Paralysis. It is not by any means confined to infants and, in many
cases, there is no paralysis. All the cases made good recoveries.
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