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 1950
[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:
| 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 | 1950 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 13 | - | - | - | - |
| Scarlet Fever | 102 | 97 | 62 | 124 | 132 |
| Smallpox | - | - | - | - | - |
| Enteric Fever | - | - | - | - | - |
| *Cerebro Spinal Fever | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - |
| *Meningococcal Infection | - | - | - | - | 2 |
| Poliomyelitis | 7 | 3 | 4 | 26 | 3 |
| Pneumonia | 56 | 48 | 60 | 65 | 48 |
| Measles | 403 | 167 | 888 | 381 | 730 |
| Whooping Cough | 158 | 138 | 254 | 88 | 361 |
* The Public Health (Acute Poliomyelitis, Acute Encephalitis
and Meningococcal Infection) Regulations, 1949, came into force
on 1st January 1950. They introduced nomenclature consistent
with the international standard classification of diseases, and
included the terms, acute poliomyelitis (paralytic and non-paralytic),
acute encephalitis (infective and post-infectious) and meningococcal;
infection. The term Cerebro Spinal Fever is no longer in use.
Diphtheria
There has not been a case of Diphtheria in the Borough since
August, 1946, a fact which affords ample evidence that this disease
can be banished from the community by adequate immunisation*
but parents should realise that they can prevent its return only by
taking every advantage of the facilities provided for the protection
of their children.
During 1950, 744 children were immunised. Of these, 351
were immunised by private practitioners and 393 at sessions
arranged by the Area Medical Officer.
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