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must therefore continue to watch the trend, and be prepared
for a return at any moment of the more severe type of
infection previously encountered.
Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis.
No case of poliomyelitis was notified in Friern
Barnet during 1954, as against two cases during the previous
year.
Shortly before this report was written, the news was
received that an efficient vaccine against poliomyelitis was
at last available in the United States. Since then, of
course, further news has come to hand of actual cases of
poliomyelitis occurring very shortly after vaccination;
while it has been stated that parents have been affected,
presumably as the result of intimate contact. I think it
would be safe to say, however, that we can now look forward
to the day, in the relatively near future, when a safe and
efficient vaccine will be available in this country to
protect children against poliomyelitis, just as they have
been protected against riphtheria, and, to a lesser extent,
against pertussis. In the meantime, we must continue our
general measures of protection, basing our actions on the
knowledge available to us. I need scarcely point out
that propaganda in regard to poliomyelitis is regularly
carried out, mainly through the schools. I also make a
point of informing general practitioners of undue occurrences.
This propaganda is extremely valuable, the one proviso being
that any feeling of alarm must at all costs be avoided.
Measles.
One hundred and eight cases of measles were notified
during the year as against 395 in 1953, which was an
epidemic year.
It is an interesting fact that Friern Barnet showed
more measles cases in 1954 than any surrounding district,
even districts with a much higher population. This is an
epidemiological curiosity, but fortunately has little or
epidemiological significance, since the disease was very
mild, admission to hospital being required in only six cases.
Pertussis(Whooping Cough).
Eighty-six cases of pertussis were notified during
the year, as against 32 in 1953.
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