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The high. price of fish and shortage of meat tempted many housewives
to hay the low priced fish on the retailers slab, with the
result, that on cooking its staleness and loss of flavour became
apparent such fish is always expensive, and in every case of
complaint this was pointed out to the purchaser, and she was advised
on the points to look for that indicate staleness. in fish, or
lack of meat in sausage.
PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
Small Pox- none notified.
Scarlet Fever Twenty three cases notified, four less than in
1939, with no deaths. The disease remains extremely mild, and it
is seldom one hears of complications leading to prolonged illness
or death. The incidence of the disease too, is very low, the
attack rate being less than l per 1000. The average attack rate
for the five years 1931/35 was 2.64 for the five years 1936/40 1.66.
Diphtheria There was a sharp increase in the incidence of this
disease over that of 1939 and the Ministry of Health pursued the
policy of pressing local authorities to carry out artificial
immunisation against the disease. Acting on advice contained in
the various circulars issued by the Ministry arrangements were made
with the Southgate Borough Counoil for Friern Barnet residents and
their children to use the Broomfield Park Clinic and after the
outbreak of war, that at the Southgate Town Hall. The response
was poor, only 32 persons being immunised during 1940. Early in
1941 the Council decided to carry out immunisation within their own
district, which will be a matter for next years report. The disease
was of a very mild type; the average stay in hospital being 38 days
compared with 88 in 1939. There was one death, the child being ill
for some days before the recognition of the disease and consequent
removal to hospital.
Particulars of the number of other notifiable
diseases are to be found in Table 1.